Should you be worried about it?

A mum-to-be has gone viral on TikTok after a pregnancy symptom left her with skin like "dough" – a condition called pitting oedema, which affects around eight in 10 pregnant women.

Carla, who goes by the username @carlaincarolina on the social platform, shared the clip of her pitting oedema symptoms when she was 39 weeks pregnant. "Being pregnant is fun", she wrote in the video, which showed her partner pressing his finger into her leg, leaving a deep dent in the skin. "That's scary", he says in response to her body's reaction which, in the caption, she explains is pitting oedema.

Understandably, other pregnant women took to the comments section to learn about what was going on. "Just like dough", commented one TikToker, with someone else saying: "Is it normal or abnormal?" With that question in mind, we spoke to Dr Fox Online Pharmacy's Dr Deborah Lee to find out.

"The medical term oedema means swelling," Dr Lee explains. "Oedema is caused by fluid leaking out of the veins into the surrounding tissues, where it is then trapped under the skin. This process is in fact happening all the time, but normally, our muscles pump the fluid back into the blood circulation. However, in some situations, such as pregnancy, there is so much fluid that it accumulates. The fluid tends to pool in the lower limbs, especially the legs, feet and ankles, because of the effects of gravity."

So, why are pregnant women more prone to pitting oedema? "Pitting oedema is very common in pregnancy. In general, it is a normal physiological finding that should not cause undue alarm or concern. In fact, 8 out of 10 pregnant women will develop it at some stage," the expert told us.

As for what causes the condition, there are many reasons, these include: the total body fluid volume naturally increasing by 6-8 litres in pregnancy; sodium retention; and the weight of the uterus squashing blood vessels.

Pitting oedema signs and symptoms

Although relatively painless, there are some signs to look out for if you think you might be suffering with pitting oedema. "A feeling of heaviness in the limbs and difficulty moving the joint," are some signs of pitting oedema, explains Dr Lee.

You might also experience stretched, tight or shiny skin, skin that feels hot or cold, difficulty walking and increased tiredness or fatigue.

pitting oedema in pregnancy should you be worried about it

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Is pitting oedema something to be worried about?

"Mild to moderate oedema in pregnancy is nothing to be worried about. Some even say this is a sign of a healthy placenta and good foetal growth," points out Dr Lee. "However, if oedema comes on suddenly in pregnancy, it can be linked to the serious medical condition of pre-eclampsia." If this is the case, the swelling may also affect your face, neck and hands.

"It’s always important to attend regularly for your antenatal check-ups and have your blood pressure recorded," adds Dr Lee. "If you have concerns about oedema, always discuss this with your GP, midwife or obstetrician."

As for when to see a doctor about pitting oedema, the expert advises to monitor your symptoms. "Oedema in pregnancy is usually bilateral. If you develop only one swollen leg, this could be a sign of something more serious, such as deep vein thrombosis (DVT)," she points out. "Oedema in pregnancy is usually absent when you get up in the morning and gets worse during the day. It also improves when you lie down and put your feet up. If this is not the case, you need to see a doctor."

How to avoid pitting oedema in pregnancy

"It's important to stay active in pregnancy. Just as in non-pregnant women, the muscular pumping action of your leg muscles will improve blood circulation and help alleviate oedema," stresses Dr Lee.

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Other tips to avoid pitting oedema in pregnancy include: avoiding standing upright for long periods; drinking plenty of water; putting your feet up (above the level of your heart); and doing regular foot and ankle exercises.

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