While the joy of motherhood may be one of life’s most precious gifts, expectant mothers have to endure the rigors of pregnancy before they can experience baby bliss. As a woman’s waistline expands, healthy weight gain during pregnancy can alter one’s center of gravity causing a sway-backed posture called lordosis. This new posture, coupled with weight gain, can create pressure on the knees, legs and feet. Some of the most common lower-extremity ailments mothers-to-be may face are swollen feet, overpronation (commonly called flatfeet) and cramps in the legs and feet. An obstetrician or gynecologist should make a referral to an APMA member podiatrist for specialized treatment of these conditions.
Pregnancy and Your Feet
Swollen Feet/Increased Foot Size/Color Changes
- Cause:
- Excess fluid, called edema, collects in the foot tissue.
- Extra blood accumulates in the lower extremities (due to weight and position of baby in the womb), usually during third trimester of pregnancy.
- Hormones released to increase the flexibility of the birth canal can also have an effect on the feet. This increase in foot size could be permanent after
- Recommended Treatments
- Try waist-high maternity support stockings. Put them on before you get out of bed in the morning so blood doesn’t have a chance to pool around your ankles.
- Bauerfeind’s Venotrain Soft, Crescent, Gold Toe and Elastic Therapy are suggested.
- Prevention
- Put your feet up whenever possible.
- Uncross your legs or ankles while sitting.
- Stretch your legs frequently while sitting.
- Wear comfortable shoes.
Cramps in the Feet & Legs
- Cause:
- Increased blood volume during pregnancy and high progesterone levels relax your blood vessels to prevent high blood pressure.
- Relaxed and slack vessels can slow down your circulation.
- Increased weight in your pelvic area can compress the veins, reducing circulation to your feet.
- Recommended Treatments
- Stretch calves often.
- Wear supportive shoes
- Check out www.apma.org/seal for Seal of Acceptance footwear.
- Eat a healthy balanced diet to make sure there are no vitamin or mineral deficiencies.
- Prevention
- Walk the cramp out.
- Increase circulation by rotating your ankles 10 times to the right, then to the left. Switch legs. Repeat 10 times.
Plantar Fasciitis
- Cause:
- Arch flattens out due to increased body weight and feet roll inward when walking.
- Recommended Treatments
- Pad and tape and use proper shoe inserts.
- Visit an APMA member podiatrist for orthotic devices and appropriate medications.
- Prevention
- Warm up and stretch properly before exercising.
- Exercise and stretch daily, and see a podiatrist for treatment.
- Do not walk barefoot or in backless shoes.
- Wear shoes that have a strong, supportive arch and firm heel.
- Wear lower heels and avoid high heels.
Over Pronation/ Flat Feet
- Cause:
- Arch flattens out due to body weight and feet roll inward when walking.
- Extreme stress or inflammation on the plantar fascia, the fibrous band of tissue that runs from the heel to the forefoot.
- Recommended Treatments
- Purchase APMA Seal approved, over-the-counter inserts. These should be designed with appropriate arch support and medial rearfoot posting to correct the overpronation.
- Try Spenco For Her or Foot Petals inserts.
- Prevention
- Choose comfortable footwear that provides extra support and shock absorption such as *Dansko Professional or Crocs RX Cloud.
- Avoid high heels.
- If you’re looking for a walking or athletic shoe, buy a running shoe, which also offers more shock absorption.
