Is Post-Pregnancy Leg Swelling Normal?

Pregnancy causes many physical changes: From surging hormones, excessive fatigue, and breast tenderness to increased blood volume, fluid retention, weight gain, and a shifted center of gravity, you expect your body to gradually “bounce back” once your baby arrives. 

But what if one of those changes — leg swelling — persists longer than you thought it would after childbirth? Should you worry or seek medical care?

Here, our board-certified specialists at Vascular Vein Centers discuss postpartum swelling, including why it happens, when it’s normal (i.e., most of the time), when it may be cause for concern (i.e., only in certain cases), and how you can alleviate the problem.     

Understanding postpartum edema

Leg swelling (edema) is a common part of the postpartum recovery process for many women. This typically mild and short-lived concern typically appears soon after delivery, often worsens during the first week of recovery, and usually resolves within two weeks of giving birth. 

What it is

Postpartum swelling is a noticeable “puffiness” in certain body areas. It tends to affect the lower extremities (legs, ankles, and feet) most often, but it’s also common in the face and hands. When it affects your lower legs, you may notice that your socks and shoes feel tight.

Other signs of postpartum swelling include skin that looks stretched and visible indentations after you press down on your skin for a few seconds.

Why it happens

During pregnancy, your body increases its release of several key hormones that sustain fetal growth and maternal health. Several hormones work in concert to expand blood flow and fluid retention, two essential support systems of pregnancy: 

• Estrogen triggers a significant blood volume increase 
• Progesterone relaxes blood vessel walls, making swelling more likely  
• Aldosterone and cortisol directly prompt your body to retain fluids

Your pregnant body experiences a 50% increase in blood volume and fluid retention to support your developing baby and prepare for the physical demands of pregnancy and delivery — extra fluids soften the body for easier expansion and prepare pelvic tissues and joints for childbirth.  

Once your baby is born, your body gets to work restoring balanced fluid levels. Just as your pregnancy hormones don’t “level off” back to normal overnight, your body can’t get rid of extra fluids in an instant.

Yes, postpartum swelling is normal

It typically takes up to two weeks for your body to rid itself of the extra fluid it retained during pregnancy. This “pre-released” fluid isn’t distributed evenly through your body as it awaits its final release through sweat and urine; instead, it tends to accumulate in the face, hands, or feet. 

Postpartum edema tends to affect the legs most often because of gravity (i.e., a lot of time standing) or inactivity (i.e., a lot of time sitting). It tends to initially worsen as your body works to “pre-release” fluids in preparation for excretion and often rapidly improves as the excretion process unfolds. 

Alleviating post-pregnancy swelling

Although time is the path to complete relief from postpartum swelling, you can do a lot to help accelerate the process and feel more comfortable in your skin along the way. Try these simple strategies to speed up fluid elimination and ease swelling: 

• Drink plenty of water; dehydration prompts your body to hold its fluid
• Use the bathroom as often as possible to shed fluids regularly 
• Be active to support optimal circulation; try taking several walks a day
• Take periodic seated breaks, elevating your feet when you’re resting
• Stick with warm showers and baths, as hot water can worsen swelling
• Watch your salt intake; sodium-rich foods promote fluid retention 

You can also try wearing supportive tights or custom compression stockings, which help ease postpartum leg swelling by assisting and improving lower extremity circulation. 

When leg swelling needs expert care

Most cases of post-pregnancy leg swelling are normal, harmless, and self-resolving. Still, it’s important to know what’s not normal with postpartum edema. Swelling that persists longer than two weeks should be evaluated by our team, as should any sudden increase in swelling.  

Call our DVT hotline (833-687-6887) right away if you have severe leg swelling, especially if one leg is noticeably more swollen than the other or if the swelling is accompanied by pain, redness, or warmth. This could be a sign of deep vein thrombosis (DVT), a dangerous blood clot that requires immediate medical attention. 

Worried about post-pregnancy leg swelling? We’re here to help. Schedule a visit at your nearest Vascular Vein Centers office in College Park of Orlando, Kissimmee, Waterford Lakes of East Orlando, Lake Mary, Davenport/Haines City, or The Villages, Florida, anytime.