Foot discomfort while being pregnant is a common issue with as much as half of women who are pregnant having foot problems at some period through the pregnancy. There are various factors throughout the pregnancy that can be a reason behind this. The obvious is the weight gain. As pregnancy moves along, your body gains weight to support the growing baby. This extra bodyweight will place additional pressure about the feet, resulting in discomfort. Hormonal variations, particularly the hormone relaxin, may lead to the relaxation of ligaments as well as joints in the body, including those in the feet. This tends to result in imbalances and give rise to foot discomfort. Puffiness or edema, is a very common sign when pregnant. Water retention leads to the feet to enlarge, leading to pain and discomfort as well as complications with the fit of the footwear. The hormonal changes also affects the arches of the feet. Many women who are pregnant experience flattening of the arches, that can cause overpronation (rolling inward of the foot) and cause problems. Due to alterations in bodyweight distribution along with hormonal impacts on joints, pregnant women may change their walking biomechanics, that can bring about foot discomfort. Using footwear which lack adequate support or are far too tight fitting will aggravate foot pain and discomfort when pregnant. As the uterus grows, it could put pressure on nerves in the spinal area and pelvis, that might cause referred symptoms in the feet and elsewhere. Pregnancy may raise the potential for getting varicose veins, which may bring about pain and discomfort within the legs and feet.
A number of the conditions that may develop to cause foot pain during pregnancy might include stress fractures. In some cases, the extra weight and changes in bone strength and density while being pregnant can bring about stress fractures within the foot. Plantar fasciitis is a very common condition involving irritation with the plantar fascia, the ligament which runs over the underside of the foot. Pregnancy-related increase in weight and hormonal variations will play a role in this problem. The fluid retention might cause leg edema, that is swelling in the arms and legs, including the feet. This may result in discomfort and pain. You will find a variety of steps that may be done to alleviate foot pain and discomfort while being pregnant. Opt for supportive and comfortable shoes with good arch support. Elevate the feet when relaxing to minimize puffiness. Perform gentle foot stretches and exercises advised by your medical professional. Avoid standing or sitting for prolonged periods. Make use of cold compresses to reduce inflammation. Practice healthy posture and body mechanics whilst walking and standing up. Give consideration to using compression hosiery for increasing blood circulation. If the pain is serious or continual, speak with your medical professional to eliminate any primary conditions.
