It’s extremely important to monitor foot health, during pregnancy. Why? This is a time in your life when comfort doesn’t necessarily come easy. You don’t want to make things worse, by neglecting your feet.
Read further to find out more about the possible risks of not paying close attention to your feet, when you’re expecting.
Edema
Edema is probably the most common foot-related problem, affecting mom’s-to-be. This swelling is caused by the extra fluids a healthy pregnancy requires.
The pain from the swelling isn’t just confined to the feet. Many women complain of pain that travels all the way up the calf, to the back of the knee.
The good news is this. There are several things you can do to reduce the discomfort and inconvenience of edema.
They include:
- Elevate your feet. Ice bags and elevation together, yields even better results
- Wear comfortable shoes that are roomy and have adequate arch support
- Consume less salt and caffeine
- Drink plenty of water, to flush out unnecessary fluids
- Exercise as much as possible. This is essential for good blood circulation
- Stand less, especially in the same place for long periods of time
It should be noted that eating less salt, exercising and drinking eight glasses of water a day are things that you should consider doing, even when you’re not pregnant.
Over-Pronation and Feet Health During Pregnancy
Over-pronation is the act of someone’s feet “rolling inward,” when they walk. Pregnancy sometimes causes this because of extra weight gain. Arches have a tendency to flatten, under the added weight.
In connection with this, some women experience the discomfort of plantar fasciitis. Plantar fasciitis is pain caused by stretched tissues on the bottom of the feet. As you can probably guess, the stretching is an end result of swollen feet.
Doing some of the same things, necessary to reduce edema, helps to reduce the issue of over-pronation.
Toe Nail Fungus
Unfortunately, toenail fungus can happen to anyone. It doesn’t discriminate. Symptoms generally make an appearance gradually. The condition never goes away on its own.
If you notice symptoms such as a bad odor, yellowing nails, debris under the nail or redness and swelling, it may be time to seek treatment. The longer you wait, the worse the symptoms get.
Call us with any questions or to book an in-office consultation. We are available to assist you, at your earliest convenience. Remember, foot health during pregnancy should never be ignored or taken lightly.
