Foot discomfort during pregnancy is a very common issue with up to half of women who are pregnant suffering from foot pain at some stage through the pregnancy. There are numerous aspects throughout the pregnancy that might be a cause for this. The most apparent will be the increase in weight. As pregnancy advances, your body increases in weight to support the maturing baby. This extra bodyweight could put additional pressure on the feet, leading to discomfort and pain. Hormonal variations, mainly the hormone relaxin, may lead to the relaxation of ligaments as well as joints in the body, which includes those ligaments in the feet. This may result in instability and contribute to foot pain. Puffiness or oedema, is a common sign during pregnancy. Fluid retention can cause the feet to swell, leading to discomfort and pain as well as issues with the fit of the footwear. The hormone changes may also affect the arches of the foot. Quite a few women that are pregnant experience flattening of the arches, that could lead to overpronation (rolling inward of the feet) and bring about pain. Resulting from alterations in weight distribution and hormone effects on joints, women who are pregnant will probably alter their walking biomechanics, that may contribute to foot pain and discomfort. Wearing footwear which lack appropriate support or are way too tight fitting could aggravate foot pain and discomfort when pregnant. When the uterus grows, it can put strain on nerves in the spinal area and pelvis, that might contribute to referred pain to the feet and elsewhere. Pregnancy can raise the probability of developing varicose veins, which may cause pain and discomfort within the feet and legs.
A few of the issues that can develop and cause foot pain during pregnancy may include stress fractures. In some cases, the additional weight and changes in bone density during pregnancy can lead to stress fractures in the feet. Heel pain is a common disorder relating to irritation of the plantar fascia, the long ligament which runs over the underside of the feet. Pregnancy-related weight gain and hormone variations can play a role in this problem. This fluid retention can lead to peripheral oedema, that is swelling in the extremities, along with the feet. This can contribute to pain and discomfort. There are a variety of things that can be carried out in order to alleviate foot pain and discomfort while being pregnant. Opt for supportive and comfy shoes with good arch support. Elevate the feet whenever relaxing to reduce the oedema. Do gentle foot stretches and physical exercises advised by your healthcare provider. Steer clear of standing or sitting for extended durations. Make use of cold packs to help reduce inflammation. Use a good posture and body biomechanics whilst walking and standing up. Give consideration to putting on compression hosiery for increasing circulation. When the pain is severe or continual, talk to your medical professional to rule out any underlying conditions.
