Ankle oedema in pregnancy

Pregnancy makes the body retain more fluid, and the growing uterus can slow blood returning from the legs. Gravity then draws fluid towards the feet and ankles. Swelling may build through the day, especially after prolonged standing, sitting or hot weather, and can leave sock marks or make shoes feel tight.

This pattern differs from a sudden increase involving the face, hands or feet. Pre-eclampsia can present with sudden swelling alongside high blood pressure and other warning symptoms, although swelling alone cannot diagnose it. Routine antenatal blood-pressure and urine checks remain important even when you feel well.

Raise your feet when resting, change position regularly and take gentle walks if your maternity clinician has not restricted activity. Flexing and circling the ankles can support circulation during periods of sitting. Choose wide, comfortable shoes and socks without tight bands, and keep drinking normally rather than cutting fluids to try to reduce oedema.

Notice whether swelling affects both sides, whether it appeared gradually and whether rest changes it. Share a new or worsening pattern at your antenatal appointment. Do not start water tablets, supplements or compression garments for pregnancy swelling without checking that they are suitable for you.

Contact your maternity unit urgently for a sudden increase in swelling, particularly with a severe or persistent headache, blurred vision or flashing lights, pain beneath the ribs, vomiting or feeling very unwell. These symptoms can occur when pre-eclampsia presents and require assessment.

Urgent assessment is also needed when one leg becomes more swollen than the other, especially with calf pain, warmth or redness, because a blood clot must be excluded. Call emergency services for chest pain, sudden shortness of breath, coughing blood, collapse or severe breathing difficulty.

Tell your clinician when the swelling began, whether it is equal on both sides and what makes it better or worse. Ask whether your blood pressure and urine findings are reassuring, which movement is suitable for your pregnancy, and whether any medicine or health condition could be contributing.