I remember coming across some humorous pregnancy cartoons, and one recurring theme that stood out was the depiction of swollen ankles. I figured awollen feet and ankles are quite common during pregnancy, but I wasn’t particularly affected. Little did I know that , they can linger or even – as in my case – become much worsen in the postpartum period!

So, what causes this discomfort?

This is what I found out: During pregnancy and childbirth, your body obviously undergoes significant changes. Among these changes, the body starts to produce and retain more fluids than usual. As is logical, the surplus of fluids tends to accumulate in the lower extremities due to the pull of gravity, and therefore particularly affects the ankles and feet. But that’s not all; the growth of the uterus exerts pressure on the pelvic veins, which can lead to impaired blood flow in the legs and feet, which can make the swelling worse, too.

What came as a surprise to me, and maybe to other new mums, is that this swelling doesn’t necessarily disappear after childbirth. In fact, for some of us, it can even worsen in the days following labour. It wasn’t painful for me, apart from my ballerina pumps being a bit tight! But not very pretty to look at, and was a worrying surprise for me, who’d avoided serious oedemas during pregnancy!

According to my midwife, several factors contribute to this postpartum swelling. These include the fact that new mums often spend fairly long periods of time in a sitting or lying position, there are some crazy hormonal fluctuations, and breastfeeding further messes up the fluid balance in the body. Breastfeeding, as beneficial as it is for the baby, can lead to increased dehydration in the mother’s body, triggering a response where the body retains more fluid, which then pools in the lower limbs.

So, what did I do, and what can you do, to ease the discomfort and reduce swelling during and after pregnancy?

• Stay Hydrated: Drinking plenty of water is crucial. At first it seemed counterintuitive to me, but I really did find that staying well-hydrated and drinking more than usual can actually help the body release excess fluids more efficiently.
• Keep Moving: Whenever possible, I went for walks around the ward in the hospital, and at lunchtime and in the evening once we werehome. I also did other gentle activities like very basic and gentle yoga poses and foot exercises. Basically, all movement that encourages circulation helps to reduce swelling.
• Compression Stockings: I was extremely pleased to find out that modern compression socks and stockings are far more comfortable and stylish than I had imagined!! And once I got used to wearing them (putting them on was a bit of a challenge in the last few months of pregnancy, let me tell you!), they provided valuable support and helped prevent and alleviate swelling in my legs and feet.
• Frequent Wee Breaks: I didn’t particularly need to be told to do this, as my baby bump made it necessary anyway! But I learnt that making regular trips to the loo not only benefits your comfort, but also helps to mobilise excess fluids in the body.
• Elevate the Feet: Most evenings after about 8 months, I quite literally put my feet up! Elevating your feet above the level of your heart can significantly reduce swelling by allowing fluids to drain away from the affected areas – tried and tested for you by yours truly!

So, while swollen feet and ankles are common during pregnancy and postpartum, there are some easy practical steps you can take to manage the discomfort and promote a healthier, happier journey into motherhood. My top tips are: Embrace the changes, stay hydrated, keep moving, and remember, there’s no shame in donning stylish compression stockings! Your well-being and comfort matter as you embark on this transformative phase of life full of surprises!