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Q: My ankles, feet and hands are so swollen. Is this normal or is it a sign that my blood pressure is too high?
A: Most women experience some swelling of the hands or feet during pregnancy. Some women tend to hold more fluid than others, even prior to pregnancy. Swelling is common during warmer weather, after a long time standing or sitting and at the end of the day.
If the swelling does not decrease after sitting with your legs elevated and lasts longer than 24 hours, call your healthcare provider. Be sure to tell your careprovider if you also have shortness of breath, dizziness or blurred vision.
Depending on the date of your last visit, your healthcare provider may want to check you for symptoms of preeclampsia; its symptoms include high blood pressure, protein in your urine and rapid weight gain.
High blood pressure can affect the vessels in your placenta and could restrict blood flow to the baby, so it’s important for your healthcare provider to monitor it.
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