5 Ways to Care for Feet During Pregnancy
Are you expecting? At Pasco-Hernando Foot & Ankle we congratulate you! We also want to offer some suggestions for helping you through your pregnancy safely and comfortably from a podiatric standpoint. Your body will be experiencing many changes during this time, and your feet are no exception. Your feet will be carrying the extra weight of your pregnancy and need some extra care. Below are 5 ways to treat your feet to reduce pain and discomfort.
Put your feet up. You’ll probably hear this a lot during your pregnancy, but for your feet, it’s particularly helpful. As your pregnancy progresses, so will the strain on your feet. Elevating them whenever you can, will reduce pain and swelling.
Stretch it out. In the morning, evening, and before and after exercising, take a few moments to stretch and flex your feet. This will help maintain good circulation and flexibility and also can relieve arch pain.
Buy larger shoes if necessary. It’s not at all unusual for pregnant women’s feet to increase in size. During pregnancy, your body releases a hormone called relaxin, which helps your pelvis ligaments stretch and open for the passage of your baby. This hormone, however, also affects the ligaments in your feet, and when they relax, your feet can spread. Continuing to wear the same size shoes as you get into the later stages of your pregnancy may cause foot pain. For some women, the increase in shoe size will become permanent.
Drink more water. Swelling feet and ankles are common during pregnancy. In addition to putting feet up, drinking lots of water will help flush excess fluids from your body.
Get help from your podiatrist. If you are experiencing any foot discomfort that isn’t relieved by the above suggestions, make an appointment at our Spring Hill (352 683-5799) or Hudson (727-868-2128) office Our podiatrist, Dr. Lawrence J. Kales, can recommend treatment options such as custom orthotics, physical therapy or an ingrown toenail procedure to make your pregnancy easier on your feet.