Leg swelling at 5 months pregnant

Call your maternity team promptly if swelling suddenly increases or appears with a severe headache, visual disturbance, pain beneath the ribs or feeling very unwell. Seek emergency help for breathlessness, chest pain, coughing blood or collapse, particularly when one leg is swollen or painful.

Pregnancy changes circulation and encourages fluid to collect around the feet and ankles, often after standing or later in the day. This tends to affect both sides gradually and may leave a temporary indentation when the skin is pressed.

Swelling confined mainly to one leg, especially with calf pain, warmth, redness or tenderness, can accompany a blood clot and needs urgent assessment. Sudden swelling of the face or hands together with headache or visual symptoms can accompany a pregnancy blood-pressure complication. Varicose veins may present with aching, heaviness and visible enlarged veins.

Rest with your legs supported, change position regularly and take gentle walks if your maternity clinician has not restricted activity. Wear comfortable shoes and avoid socks that dig tightly into the skin. Regular ankle movements can support circulation during long periods of sitting.

Stay normally hydrated and continue balanced meals; do not take water tablets or sharply restrict salt unless a clinician directs this. Compression stockings may help some people, but obtain advice about the correct type and fit. Track whether swelling affects one or both legs, when it appears and whether pain, redness or breathlessness occurs.

Get urgent same-day advice for new one-sided swelling, calf tenderness, skin warmth or redness; sudden swelling involving the face or hands; severe headache; flashing lights or blurred vision; upper abdominal pain; vomiting; or a marked feeling that something is wrong.

Emergency symptoms include sudden difficulty breathing, chest pain that worsens with breathing, coughing blood, fainting or extreme weakness. Otherwise, mention progressive swelling at your antenatal visit, especially if it persists after rest or comes with reduced urine, rapid overall puffiness or skin breakdown.

Ask whether your blood pressure and urine need checking, whether the leg pattern warrants a clot assessment, and which compression garment is appropriate. Tell the clinician when swelling began, whether it improves overnight, any recent travel or immobility, and whether you have headache, visual change, pain or breathing symptoms.