As you look to the future and plan for the arrival of a beautiful new person, pregnancy can be a wonderful time.

We’re not all rainbows and rose-tinted goggles, however. Whilst every pregnancy is fantastically unique, most can be guaranteed some raging hormones, sleepless nights and swollen fingers.

Though slightly inconvenient, swelling of hands and feet during pregnancy is totally normal, caused simply by the body retaining more water than usual. With this infamous swell one of the most common symptoms of child-bearing, a question we’re often asked is whether it’s best to remove engagement rings and wedding bands during pregnancy.

THE SHORT ANSWER: YES

Our blue sapphire Cybeleengagement ring and Scrolls wedding band

Every woman is different, and whilst some might find themselves channelling their inner blimp somewhere along the line, others will find that their swelling is barely noticeable. That being said, our blanket rule is that prevention is better than cure. To avoid any problems later on, we advise taking your rings off as early as possible.

IN THE MEANTIME?

Our signature Scrolls wedding band, hung on a slender neck chain

We know that the space left behind by sentimental pieces of jewellery can feel gaping. Removing your special rings sharpish needn’t mean casting them aside. Wearing your engagement ring and wedding band on a necklace is a beautiful means of holding them close to your heart until your hands are ready to take them again.

We’ve also seen pregnancy jewellery grow increasingly popular over recent years. A pregnancy ring is a temporary stand-in, complete with a little wiggle room and worn in place of your wedding band. Once you’re able to begin wearing the real thing again, this ring adopts the role of a beautiful memento, perhaps held onto as a family heirloom or maybe even resized so you can continue to wear it with pride once your baby’s born. Get in touch today to learn more about our bespoke service.

AND WHAT IF MY RINGS ARE ALREADY STUCK?

If the worst comes to the worst and you’ve left it too late to remove your rings easily, don’t panic! There are a number of ways that you can try easing them off before they become any further stuck.

1. First of all, try gently wiggling and twisting the ring between your thumb and forefinger whilst moving it slowly towards the end of your finger. The key here is all in the tenderness; too much wrenching could cause your finger to swell further.
2. Try elevating your hand above your shoulder for a few minutes to reduce swelling.
3. If the ring still won’t budge, apply a little lubricant (think liquid soap, cooking oil or Vaseline) to see if this helps ease the friction.
4. Submerge your hand in a bowl of cold water for a few minutes. This could reduce the swelling and allow the ring more movement.
5. If all else fails, there’s a clever trick involving dental floss or cotton thread. This might hurt a little, but it’s helped many in times of despair! Check out the video for a step-by-step: