Enjoy Pregnancy Without Foot Pain

“Oh, my aching feet” is a phrase you hear often from pregnant women. But, are sore feet a symptom they just must deal with during pregnancy? The answer is “no.” There are many remedies available to help alleviate foot pain.

Women often experience foot pain during pregnancy because of increased weight, foot instability and swelling. In the last five years, I’ve seen an increase in pregnant women with foot pain because more women than ever before are active, even running marathons, during their pregnancies. To help reduce foot pain during pregnancy, follow these guidelines:

Painful, Swollen Feet

Pregnant women often experience throbbing, swollen feet because of excess fluid buildup (edema) in the feet from the weight and position of the baby. To reduce swelling, put feet up whenever possible, stretch legs frequently, wear wide comfortable shoes and don’t cross legs when sitting.

Arch Pain

Pain in the arch can be caused by arch fatigue or over pronation (the flattening of the arch). Over pronation causes extreme stress to the ligament (the plantar fascia) that holds up the arch of the foot. The best way to prevent arch pain is to stretch daily in the morning and before and after any exercise, don’t go barefoot and wear supportive, low-heeled shoes.

Ingrown Toenails

Excessive stress from tightly-fitting shoes causes painful ingrown toenails. Give your feet a break: Wear wider shoes during the last trimester of pregnancy to avoid ingrown toenails. If you do experience an ingrown toenail, avoid attempting “bathroom surgery.” Repeated cutting of the nail can cause the condition to worsen over time. It is best to seek treatment with a foot and ankle surgeon.

It is also not uncommon for women to experience a change in their foot size during pregnancy. A permanent growth in a women’s foot, up to half a size, can occur from the release of the same hormone, relaxin, that allows the pelvis to open to deliver the baby. It makes the ligaments in your feet more flexible, causing feet to spread wider and longer.

Pregnancy and pending motherhood should be a joy. If foot pain persists, call my office at 928-864-0602. Conservative treatments such as physical therapy, foot orthotics, supportive shoes and minor toenail procedures can provide relief. FBN

By Anthony Rosales, DPM, FACFAS

If you are suffering from foot or ankle pain, call Dr. Rosales’s office at 928-864-0602 for an assessment.

Anthony Rosales DPM, FACFAS, a foot surgeon with offices in Flagstaff and Page, is board certified in foot surgery by the American Board of Foot and Ankle Surgery. He is a member of the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons.