Why fingers swell during pregnancy

Swelling in your ankles, legs, feet and fingers is common during pregnancy. Causes of swelling As your womb grows, it can put pressure on the circulation to the lower part of your body.

When to get medical help Swelling that happens gradually can be uncomfortable, but it's not harmful to you or your baby. Always see your GP if you suddenly become swollen or have other symptoms. Urgent advice: Contact your GP immediately if you have:.

Urgent advice: Always see your GP if you have:. How to reduce swelling If you have gradual swelling and no other symptoms, there are things you can do that might help. Swelling in your hands and fingers There are various things you can do to reduce gradual swelling in your hands and fingers. Swelling in your legs, ankles and feet To treat gradual swelling in your legs, ankles and feet, you should: avoid standing for long periods of time put your feet up when you can not cross your legs wear comfortable shoes drink plenty of water stay as active as possible Foot exercises Foot exercises can help reduce ankle and foot swelling, and reduce leg cramps.

When swelling is out of the normal range or is accompanied by other symptoms, it's critical to call your OB or midwife right away. Here are abnormal swelling symptoms to be aware of:. Too often we get caught in second guessing ourselves or feel like our worries are excessive, but it's better to be wrong than be in danger. Lamaze Home Contact Us Login. Return to Giving Birth with Confidence.

Finding Relief for Normal Swelling in Pregnancy The good news is that while annoying and somewhat "unsightly," swelling in pregnancy is not overly painful and there are several things you can do to find relief.

Sometimes changing position helps relieve symptoms. Numbness and pain that occur in your thumb, index finger, middle finger, or half of your ring finger may be caused by carpal tunnel syndrome.

This condition is more common during pregnancy because the normal buildup of fluid puts pressure on nerves in your wrist. Symptoms usually go away after pregnancy. Swelling of your hands during pregnancy may be more serious when you have other symptoms, such as: Swelling or puffiness in your face. Weight gain of 2 lb 0. An elevated blood pressure. Protein in your urine a lab test is required to check for protein.

Knowing what to look for and how best to manage it can help you stay as comfortable as possible. For these reasons, your blood tends to pool in your legs. There, a small amount of blood leaks through tiny blood vessels into the tissues and produces the swelling you can see and feel.

The swelling should be only in your feet and ankles. Your fingers might get a little larger — enough to make any rings feel tight — but they shouldn't be obviously swollen. Your feet and ankles are likely to swell later in the day. This is mainly due to gravity — any extra fluid in your body will sink to your feet and ankles, especially if you spend a lot of time on your feet.

Compression stockings can help the blood flow back to the heart and limit how much swelling you get. Massage and reflexology might also help reduce swelling and associated symptoms. Even if your swelling is bothering you, remember to still drink plenty of water. Keeping your fluids up is important to avoid dehydration and stay healthy. Most pregnant women have swollen feet and ankles at some point, and this is perfectly normal. However, there are times when swelling could indicate something more serious.

Contact your midwife, doctor or hospital immediately if:. These are warning signs for pre-eclampsia , which is high blood pressure caused by pregnancy. This is a very serious condition both for you and your baby, so call your doctor or midwife as soon as possible. Don't wait for your next regular appointment. If one leg is more swollen than the other, this could suggest a more serious problem with one of your veins, such as deep vein thrombosis. Again, contact your doctor or midwife as soon as possible.