Pregnancy is a special time fraught with joy and anticipation. However, for many expectant mothers, it can also be a time filled with pain and discomforts in many areas of their body, especially their feet.
If you’re expecting and plagued by foot pain, here are two of the most common culprits in it and the things you can do to give your feet their much-needed comfort and relief.
Edema
Foot pain accompanied by swelling is common among women who are right in the thick of the second trimester of their pregnancy (weeks 22 through 27). This condition is referred to as edema, and is characterized by the buildup of fluid in your feet and ankles
Edema during pregnancy occurs due to a combination of a number of factors, such as hormonal changes, your body retaining more fluid, and pressure of the growing uterus on the veins, which slows the flow of the blood back to the heart. Edema tends to get worse as your pregnancy advances, but eventually dissipates after you give birth.
To alleviate the symptoms of edema, avoid standing for long periods and keep your feet up whenever possible can help improve symptoms of edema. It also helps to wear loose clothing, compression stockings, and comfortable shoes. Additionally, research suggests that getting a foot massage can help relieve the symptoms of edema associated with pregnancy.
Overpronation
Another top cause of foot pain during pregnancy is overpronation, which is when your foot rolls too far inward. Overpronation shifts your body out of balance and puts a strain on the plantar fascia — the thick band of tissue that connects your heel bone to your toes — and causes it to get inflamed (plantar fasciitis). Overpronation can also affect your gait and put you at risk for fall injury. To protect yourself from injury, consult an orthopedic doctor, who can prescribe orthotics. Prescription orthotics are specially designed insoles that work to correct overpronation by providing your foot with adequate support from beneath and distributing the pressure evenly across it.
Foot Pain Treatment in West Jersey, PA
Pregnancy is supposed to be an exciting, memorable, and beautiful journey—so don’t let foot pain ruin it. Visit us here at Orthopedic Associates of West Jersey (OAWJ) for a consultation with one of our board-certified orthopedic surgeons. We use a wide variety of proven safe and effective solutions for your foot pain—helping you waddle through the final months of your pregnancy as comfortably as possible.
To schedule an appointment with one of our orthopedic specialists, call our clinic today at (973) 989-0888 or use our convenient appointment request form. We look forward to serving you!
