swelling (oedema).
last revised · reviewed 2026-07-05
Gradual swelling of the feet, ankles, and fingers — oedema — is normal in later pregnancy, caused by extra fluid and the uterus slowing blood return from the legs. Sudden swelling, especially of the face and hands, can be a sign of pre-eclampsia and needs same-day review.
what it feels like
Shoes feel tight by evening, sock lines dig in, rings become snug, and ankles look puffy — typically worse at the end of the day, in hot weather, and after standing. Gentle finger pressure may leave a brief dimple in the skin.
why it happens
Your body holds around 50 per cent more blood and fluid by late pregnancy, and the growing uterus presses on the veins returning blood from your legs. Gravity does the rest, letting fluid pool in the lowest parts of the body through the day — which is why mornings look better than evenings.
what helps
- Put your feet up — literally — several times a day, ideally above hip level
- Avoid standing or sitting still for long stretches; move every 30 to 60 minutes
- Sleep on your side, which improves kidney blood flow and helps shift fluid overnight
- Wear comfortable shoes and avoid tight ankle straps or knee-high socks with firm bands
- Gentle exercise like walking or swimming — water pressure is particularly good at moving fluid
- Drink water normally; restricting fluids does not reduce swelling
- Rotate your ankles and flex your feet when sitting for long periods or travelling
when to call your midwife or doctor
- Sudden or rapidly worsening swelling, especially of the face, around the eyes, or hands — possible pre-eclampsia; call your midwife or doctor the same day
- Swelling with headache, visual disturbance, or pain below the ribs — urgent, call immediately
- One leg significantly more swollen, red, or painful than the other — possible blood clot; same-day review
- Swelling already present when you wake in the morning, rather than building through the day
This page is general information, not a diagnosis. When in doubt, call — no midwife has ever minded a careful question.
common questions
How much swelling is normal in pregnancy?
Gradual puffiness of the feet and ankles that builds through the day and improves overnight is normal, especially in the third trimester and warm weather. What matters is the pattern: sudden swelling, facial swelling, or swelling that arrives with headache or vision changes is not normal — call your midwife or doctor.
When is swelling a sign of pre-eclampsia?
Be alert to swelling that comes on suddenly, affects the face and hands, or is paired with severe headache, flashing lights or blurred vision, or pain just under the ribs. Those combinations need same-day assessment — call your midwife, doctor, or maternity unit without waiting.
Do compression stockings help pregnancy swelling?
Yes — graduated compression stockings, put on in the morning before swelling builds, help many women with heavy or aching legs. Your midwife or pharmacist can advise on fit; they are also recommended for long-haul travel in pregnancy.
read it in context
Swelling (oedema) tends to show up around these weeks of pregnancy:
related symptoms
- Back pain
Lower back pain affects up to two thirds of pregnant women, usually from mid-pregnancy onwards, as the growing bump shifts your centre of gravity and the hormone relaxin loosens supporting ligaments.
- Nosebleeds
Nosebleeds affect around 1 in 5 pregnant women — pregnancy hormones expand the delicate blood vessels lining the nose while your total blood volume rises by half.
- Leg cramps
Sudden, painful calf cramps — usually at night — affect around half of pregnant women, most often in the second and third trimesters.
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