Swollen Ankles & Feet (Edema)
Fluid retention causing swelling in ankles, feet, and sometimes hands. Very common in third trimester, affecting 75% of pregnant women.
Medically reviewed by healthcare professionals | Last reviewed: March 2026
📅 When It Occurs
Usually begins second trimester, most common and severe in third trimester
📊 How Common
Affects about 75% of pregnant women
Overview
Edema, or swelling due to excess fluid in your tissues, is extremely common during pregnancy. It most often affects your feet and ankles but can also impact your hands, face, and legs.
This swelling is caused by your body retaining extra fluid and your growing uterus putting pressure on the veins returning blood from your lower body back to your heart.
While uncomfortable and sometimes making shoes tight, mild to moderate swelling is completely normal. However, sudden or severe swelling can be a warning sign of preeclampsia and requires immediate medical attention.
📆 By Trimester
First Trimester
Rare, but some women notice slight swelling
Second Trimester
Begins to appear, especially later in the trimester
Third Trimester
Most common and pronounced, typically worsens as due date approaches
🔍 What Causes It?
- •Increased blood and fluid volume (50% more by third trimester)
- •Growing uterus pressing on pelvic veins slowing blood return from legs
- •Hormones causing body to retain more sodium and water
- •Gravity pulling fluid down to feet and ankles
- •Hot weather increasing fluid retention
- •Standing or sitting for long periods
- •Diet high in sodium causing more water retention
💡 Relief Strategies
- ✓Elevate your feet above heart level whenever possible
- ✓Avoid standing or sitting for long periods - move frequently
- ✓Sleep on your left side to improve blood circulation
- ✓Wear compression stockings to improve circulation in legs
- ✓Stay cool - heat makes swelling worse
- ✓Exercise regularly (walking, swimming) to promote circulation
- ✓Drink plenty of water (counterintuitively, it reduces swelling)
- ✓Reduce sodium intake - avoid processed and salty foods
- ✓Eat foods high in potassium (bananas, avocados, spinach)
- ✓Swim or soak feet in cool water
- ✓Wear comfortable, supportive shoes that accommodate swelling
- ✓Do ankle circles and foot flexes throughout the day
⚠️ When to Call Your Doctor
Contact your healthcare provider if you experience:
- ⚠Sudden, severe swelling especially in face and hands
- ⚠Swelling accompanied by severe headaches or vision changes
- ⚠One leg significantly more swollen than the other (could be blood clot)
- ⚠Swelling in hands makes it hard to remove rings
- ⚠Severe swelling that pits when pressed (deep indentation remains)
- ⚠Swelling accompanied by high blood pressure
- ⚠Abdominal pain, nausea, or vomiting with swelling
- ⚠Rapid weight gain (more than 2-3 pounds per week)
Related Symptoms
📅 Explore by Trimester
Learn how this symptom and others change throughout your pregnancy journey: