Swollen hands in the third trimester: what to know

Late pregnancy can increase fluid in body tissues, and warmth or a long day on your feet may make fingers feel fuller. Swelling may be more noticeable at the end of the day and affect both hands. It should not be dismissed when it appears suddenly or comes with headache, visual changes, upper abdominal pain, or feeling unusually unwell, because these symptoms need a maternity assessment. Painful, stiff joints may have another cause, such as [Rheumatoid Arthritis](/conditions/rheumatoid-arthritis/). A fall can cause wrist or hand swelling and may require assessment for a [Distal Radius Fracture](/conditions/distal-radius-fracture/).

Take off rings, loosen restrictive clothing, and move your fingers and wrists gently several times through the day. Change position, rest with the hands supported, and avoid prolonged gripping. Drink normally unless your maternity clinician has given different advice; do not try to reduce swelling by skipping fluids. Keep a note of onset, symmetry, progression, blood-pressure readings if you have been asked to check them, and associated symptoms. Read more about [Hand Swelling](/symptoms/hand-swelling/).

Call your maternity service promptly for sudden or quickly increasing hand or face swelling, severe headache, flashing lights or blurred vision, pain under the ribs, vomiting with feeling unwell, or breathlessness. Emergency care is needed for chest pain, collapse, or swelling of the lips or tongue that affects breathing. A red, hot, very painful hand, fever, numbness, or injury-related deformity also needs urgent review.

Ask whether your blood pressure and urine should be checked, which symptoms should trigger an immediate call, and how to protect hand function while swelling fluctuates. Tell the clinician whether the change is equal on both sides.