Pregnancy comes with a whole host of bizarre symptoms, including this very freaky condition that can turn limbs into squishy, memory-foam like limbs.

Mum-to-be Carla shared a video of her husband pressing his finger into her leg, and leaving a fairly sizeable indent. She captioned the clip, ‘Being pregnant is fun’.

It prompted hundreds of concerned comments, with calls for her to be checked out by a medical professional. The video was taken when the first-time-mum was 39 weeks pregnant, and she explained that the condition is known as pitting edema.

“I’m being checked for it every visit but everything has been perfectly normal and it’s been a healthy pregnancy.”

@carlaincarolina #pregnancy #39weekspregnant #pittingedema #firsttimemom #foryou ♬ original sound – Carla

What is pitting edema?

Swelling in pregnancy is really common – particularly in the ankles and feet, and it’s known as edema. If you press on a swollen area and the indentation or ‘pit’ remains, it’s known as pitting edema.

According to Pregnancy, Birth & Baby there are three main reasons you’ll experience pregnancy swelling:

• You’re producing more blood than usual, to help your mini human grow.
• Your growing uterus is pressing on, and even slightly blocking the veins that return blood from your legs to your heart.
• Those wonderful pregnancy hormones are making the walls of your veins softer, so it’s harder for them to work properly.

While this swelling usually happens in the lower limbs, it can also make your fingers swell. You’ll probably find if you’ve been on your feet all day, you’ll sit down to find your legs and ankles swollen. And the longer your pregnancy goes, the more likely you’ll get swelling.

How do I know if edema is normal?

Most of the time, pregnancy swelling is normal, even though it’s annoying! However, there are times when it could be an indication of something more serious, like pre-eclampsia – which is high blood pressure caused by pregnancy.

If you notice any of these happening, contact your midwife, doctor or the hospital:

• The swelling is present at the start of the day and doesn’t go down even after you rest.
• Your face or hands are swollen.
• It’s more swelling than you’ve had before.

How do I reduce the swelling?

There are a few simple ways to try and ease edema swelling and make yourself more comfortable:

• Try not to stand for a long time, without at least moving around a bit.
• Wear comfy shoes (you might have to ditch the heels!).
• Put your feet up!
• Reduce the amount of salty foods you’re eating (sorry pregnancy cravings).
• Sleep on your left side so your blood can return to your heart easier.
• Exercise regularly.

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