"Oh, my aching feet" is a phrase you hear often from pregnant
women, but sore feet need not be a side effect of pregnancy.
If you are expecting, follow these guidelines to help alleviate
three of the most common foot problems that can occur during
pregnancy.

1. Painful, Swollen Feet - Pregnant women often experience throbbing, swollen feet due
to 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 compression socks or
  stockings
• Do not cross legs when sitting

2. Arch Pain - Pain in the arch can be due to both arch fatigue or overpronation
(flattening of the arch). Overpronation 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
• Avoid going barefoot
• Wear supportive low-heeled shoes
• Wear rigid inserts or custom orthotics made by a foot and ankle
  surgeon

3. Ingrown Toenails - Excessive stress from tightly fitting shoes can cause painful
ingrown toenails. To help prevent ingrown toenails from forming,
wear wider shoes during the last trimester of pregnancy. If you
experience an ingrown toenail, do not perform “bathroom surgery.”
Repeated cutting of the nail can cause the condition to worsen
over time. Come to our office for treatment instead.
It is also not uncommon for women to experience a change in their
foot size during pregnancy. A permanent growth in a woman’s foot,
up to half a size, can occur from the release of the hormone relaxin,
which allows the pelvis to open to deliver the baby. This hormone
makes the ligaments in feet more flexible, causing feet to spread
wider and longer.

If you experience foot pain during pregnancy, schedule an
appointment with our office.