It's normal to get some swelling in pregnancy, particularly in your legs, ankles, feet and fingers. It's often worse at the end of the day, further into your pregnancy or during the summer season. Swelling that comes on gradually is not usually harmful to you or your baby, but it can be uncomfortable. A sudden increase in swelling can be a sign of pre-eclampsia, a condition that needs to be monitored as soon as possible so it is important to seek medical help if you notice this. The pressure of your growing womb can also affect the blood flow in your legs. This can cause fluid to build up in your legs, ankles and feet. To help avid swelling try to take regular breaks during the day, avoid standing for too long on your feet and drinking lots of water (which actually helps rid your body of water retention). You can do foot exercises sitting or standing. The NHS recommends doing simple foot exercises to help improve blood circulation, reduce swelling in the ankles, and prevent cramp in the calf muscles. To do this bend and stretch your foot up and down 30 times and rotate each foot in a circle 8 times one way and 8 times the other way.
