Edema peaks in pregnancy during which weeks?

• A. Weeks 28-35
• B. Weeks 12-16
• C. Weeks 36-40
• D. Weeks 1-4

Answer: (A)

Edema in pregnancy mainly reflects physiologic fluid retention that peaks as the body’s circulatory changes reach their maximum in the late second to early third trimester. Plasma volume expands significantly during pregnancy, and the growing uterus also compresses pelvic and leg veins, raising venous pressure in the legs. These factors combine to produce the most noticeable dependent edema around 28–35 weeks.

After this window, the peak tends to pass, even though edema can persist. If edema appears suddenly after 20 weeks and is accompanied by high blood pressure or protein in the urine, that would raise concern for preeclampsia and warrants evaluation.