Your body goes through a number of amazing changes when you’re pregnant, and most of the attention gets focused on your midsection for good reason. However, another area of your body that faces new challenges and goes through some interesting changes is your feet! In today’s blog, we take a closer look at some of the ways your feet can change as a result of your pregnancy.
How Pregnancy Affects Your Feet
Your feet can feel the effects of your pregnancy in a number of ways. Here’s a look at some of the changes you’ll want to be mindful of as you navigate your pregnancy:
Swollen Feet – Did you know that your foot can temporary grow a half size or more as a result of your pregnancy? Due to extra fluid in the body and added pressure from the growing uterus, your feet can swell and seem bigger than normal. This can make wearing shoes an extremely uncomfortable experience if your shoes were already somewhat tight to begin with. Elevating your feet can help with some of this swelling, and pay closer attention to how your feet feel inside your shoe so that you can switch to a bigger option if your foot is feeling cramped.
Foot And Leg Cramps – Speaking of cramps, foot and leg cramps are more common during pregnancy as well. Medical experts believe leg cramps are more common, especially later on in the pregnancy, as a result of circulation changes and added stress on your leg muscles from your increased body weight. Eating a range of healthy foods and stretching your feet and calves can help to keep painful cramps at bay.
Arch Pain – Some women also experience arch pain as they get further into their pregnancy. Oftentimes this is the result of gait changes caused by the growing fetus. This can lead women to walk with an over-pronated gait, which can stress the feet and contribute to arch flattening and discomfort. Arch supports and being conscious of your foot positioning when walking can help to limit arch pain while pregnant.
Sore Feet – Finally, a number of women experience general foot soreness throughout their pregnancy. Weight gain can impact your gait and can change how stress is dispersed in your foot, leading to new pain and soreness.
If you’re experiencing any of these issues, or if you want to talk with a specialist about avoiding some of these common foot problems when you’re pregnant, reach out to Dr. Silverman and the team at Silverman Ankle & Foot. He can share some simple tips and prevention strategies to ensure you’re as comfortable as possible on your feet throughout the duration of your pregnancy. For more information, or for help with a different foot issue, give his office a call today at (952) 224-8500.
