When should I worry about swollen feet after pregnancy?
Though it could last a few days longer if preeclampsia, or pregnancy-related high blood pressure, caused excess swelling of your feet and hands in late pregnancy. Postpartum swelling is rarely serious, but it’s a good idea to let your healthcare provider know if the swelling doesn’t go down within a week or so.
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Why are my feet so swollen after pregnancy?

Postpartum swelling happens when water weight from pregnancy builds up in the body and remains after the pregnancy has ended. The swelling usually affects the legs, feet, ankles, and face.
How do you get rid of swollen feet after pregnancy?
What you can do to help bring the swelling down:
- Eat potassium-rich foods like bananas, potatoes, avocados, and spinach.
- Reduce your caffeine intake — caffeine makes your body retain water and increases swelling.
- Keep your feet elevated.
- Wear comfortable shoes.
- Wear compression socks.
- Drink water.
What are the signs of postpartum preeclampsia?
Symptoms

- High blood pressure (hypertension) — 140/90 millimeters of mercury (mm Hg) or greater.
- Excess protein in your urine (proteinuria)
- Severe headaches.
- Changes in vision, including temporary loss of vision, blurred vision or light sensitivity.
- Pain in your upper belly, usually under the ribs on the right side.
How long does postpartum feet swelling last?
That’s why you may have a puffy face after baby arrives while the rest of the fluids move to your legs and feet. The only way these fluids dissipate is through urination and sweat, so it’s normal for swelling to last one to two weeks post-delivery.
When do feet go back to normal after pregnancy?
Will I still have bigger feet after pregnancy? You might. While foot swelling generally subsides within a month after delivery, any spreading caused by loosening ligaments is permanent. One study found that most women saw their foot length increase by anywhere between 2 and 10 millimeters.
How long does postpartum swelling last?
The good news about postpartum swelling is that it often doesn’t last long. Expect it to go away around the time your newborn turns 1-week-old.
How long after birth can you develop preeclampsia?
Most cases of postpartum preeclampsia develop within 48 hours of childbirth. But, postpartum preeclampsia sometimes develops up to six weeks or later after childbirth. This is known as late postpartum preeclampsia.
Does breastfeeding make your feet swell?
Many women experience postpartum swelling of the face and extremities like the hands, feet, and legs. Some will also experience swelling around the incision from a cesarean delivery, or at the perineum if there was an episiotomy or tear.
Do hips stay wider after childbirth?
Your ribs may have expanded, and your hips will often widen to make it easier for the baby to exit the birth canal. For some women wider ribs and hips will be permanent. As your baby grows during pregnancy you will gain weight . This helps to support your baby before and after birth.
Why am I skinnier after having a baby?
Often, excess or rapid postpartum weight loss is due to lifestyle issues and the pressures of new parenthood (like being too tired to eat), other times there may be a health concern that needs treatment. Either way, help is out there. So, if you’re worried about losing too much weight, contact your doctor.
What were your first signs of preeclampsia?
The first signs of preeclampsia are often detected during routine prenatal visits with a health care provider. Along with high blood pressure, preeclampsia signs and symptoms may include: Excess protein in urine (proteinuria) or other signs of kidney problems. Decreased levels of platelets in blood (thrombocytopenia)
How long do swollen feet last after birth?
Using the tips for treating swelling should help ease some of that fluid accumulation. Swelling in your feet following a cesarean delivery usually eases up within the first week or two after delivery.
Does your face change after pregnancy?
Yvonne Butler Tobah, obstetrician and gynecologist at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn., said a year postpartum usually resets body back to normal, but there are a few changes that can be permanent: Skin: A woman’s face, areolas, stomach and moles often darken during pregnancy, and might stay that way.
Why do I look older after having a baby?
Our telomeres shorten and our epigenetic age increases
Given that there is hyper cell production during pregnancy, it makes sense that those telomeres would shorten and, therefore, appear to age dramatically.
Do hips permanently widen after pregnancy?
Your ribs may have expanded, and your hips will often widen to make it easier for the baby to exit the birth canal. For some women wider ribs and hips will be permanent.
How long till belly goes down after birth?
Expect it to take around six weeks for your uterus to contract fully. At six weeks, you may have already lost the weight you gained during pregnancy. This is especially true if you’re breastfeeding.
How do you check for preeclampsia at home?
While you are home, your provider may ask you to:
- Measure your blood pressure.
- Check your urine for protein.
- Monitor how much fluid you drink.
- Check your weight.
- Monitor how often your baby moves and kicks.
What are the warning signs of eclampsia?
Symptoms can include:
- High blood pressure during pregnancy.
- Blurred vision.
- Headache.
- Swelling of the face, hands and feet.
- Upper abdominal pain.
- Vomiting.
- Shortness of breath.
- HELLP syndrome (severe form of preeclampsia)
When will postpartum swelling go down?
What is the prime age to have a baby?
Experts say the best time to get pregnant is between your late 20s and early 30s. This age range is associated with the best outcomes for both you and your baby. One study pinpointed the ideal age to give birth to a first child as 30.5.
How long does it take for a woman’s body to fully recover from pregnancy?
For most women, it’s best to wait at least 18 months between giving birth and getting pregnant again. This means your baby will be at least 1½ years old before you get pregnant with another baby. This much time gives your body time to fully recover from your last pregnancy before it’s ready for your next pregnancy.
Does a woman’s face change after having a baby?
How long do you bleed after birth?
After about 10 days, you should see less blood. You may have light bleeding or spotting for up to 6 weeks after delivery. You can only use sanitary pads during this time. Tampons could lead to an infection.