Helping Your Feet and Ankles Survive Pregnancy

Pregnancy should be a time of joy and celebration. But when you can’t even have a glass of wine, and your feet and ankles feel as if your legs are upside-down, it’s hard to drum up enthusiasm for the party. To prevent the joy from turning into nine months of total misery, you need to take some measures to protect your foot health and keep pain and discomfort down to an absolute minimum. Don’t wait for problems to set in, start off with a prevention plan.

Do yourself a big favor and give up the high heels for the nine month duration. Your body is about to undergo some serious changes and the differences show up quickly. Plan now to get yourself into some low shoes with cushioning that will help you support your heavier and altered weight bearing stance. Not only will your shape change, but hormones changing will cause ligaments to loosen and contribute added stress to your feet.

Fluid retention and swelling is pretty normal during pregnancy, but there are a number of steps you can take to keep it from becoming excessive and uncomfortable:

Drink lots of water because this allows your body to release excess.
Don’t be a couch potato, but when you do sit, elevate your feet and ankles.
Sleep on your left side. It allows for blood return to the heart without intervention.
Exercise daily. Take a walk to strengthen ankles and feet.
Solicit a foot massage from your partner, as this discourages fluid build-up.
Being in a pool is great exercise. Water pressure tends to compress swelling tissues.
Wear compression stockings or tights only if your health care provider suggests them.

A moderate amount of swelling and excess fluid is normal, but this should be monitored closely. Excessive fluid build-up may signify additional health concerns that warrant medical attention. If swelling is limited to one leg or is severe, contact your doctor for a medical evaluation. It could indicate preeclampsia, which is a serious condition that can put you and your baby at risk.

As part of your regular health care during pregnancy, include visits to your podiatrist. Dr. Vargas will have recommendations and treatments available to help your feet make it through. Take the next step toward good foot care and call him at (281)313-0090 or (281)342-8700 to set up an appointment.