Face Hands Feet All Swollen
| CARD 11 · ORANGE | |
|---|---|
| Category | Swelling |
| 108 | Not always required |
| Pathway | ASHA → PHC (same day) → CHC if BP ≥ 140/90 |
What is this?
When the whole body swells at once — face, hands, and feet together — this is different from the ordinary ankle swelling of late pregnancy. When the eyelids puff up, the fingers become thick and tight, and the feet are swollen all at the same time, the body is holding far too much fluid. This is almost always linked to rising blood pressure in pregnancy.
This type of swelling does not go away after a night of rest. It may build quickly over a day or two, or appear suddenly first thing in the morning. A urine test and blood pressure check are needed the same day. If blood pressure is 140/90 mmHg or above, the woman must go to the CHC without waiting.
- Go to the PHC or Sub-Centre the same day
- Have blood pressure checked immediately on arrival
- Ask for a urine test to check for protein
- If BP is 140/90 or above — go to the CHC immediately
- Do not try to manage this at home
Pathway: ASHA→PHC (same day)→CHC if BP ≥ 140/90
When the face and hands are swollen — especially if the swelling is still present in the morning after a night of rest — this is not normal pregnancy swelling. It is a sign that the body is retaining fluid due to pre-eclampsia. A blood pressure of 140/90 mmHg confirms this is an emergency. Go to the PHC the same day without waiting.
Khasi audio guide
Related cards
- Swollen Feet — milder swelling that can precede this stage
- Blood Pressure High — the underlying cause
- Severe Headache with Vision Disturbed — part of the same pre-eclampsia cluster