be
i nformed
3
It is useful to know
what changes in
your feet to expect
during pregnancy
and how best to
manage these for
a happier healthier
pregnancy.
It is often overlooked that
women’s feet increase in
size by approximately one or
two sizes during pregnancy.
The reason for this increase is
hormones that are released
within the body with the aim
of enabling the ligaments in
the birth canal to relax. Liga-
ments in the feet also relax
which in turn causes the feet
to lengthen and widen. As
a result of increased weight
gain during pregnancy, many
women suffer with foot and
lower limb problems - the
most common of these being
over-pronation, edema and
varicose veins. These can lead
to pain being experienced in
the following areas - heel,
arch, the ball of the foot
and legs.
Over-pronation is often
referred to as “flat feet”. It
occurs when the arch of the
foot flattens for example
when being forced to endure
extra weight. This creates
stress on the fibrous band of
tissue that runs from the heel
to the forefoot (plantar fascia).
This can result in extremely
painful walking. It can also
increase strain on the feet,
calves and back.
Edema which is also known as
swelling in the feet, can also
pose a problem in the later
months of pregnancy. The
main reason for feet becom-
ing swollen is displacement
of water fluid within the body
and the extra blood accu-
mulated during pregnancy.
The enlarged uterus puts
pressure on the blood vessels
in the pelvis and legs causing
circulation to slow down and
blood to pool in the lower
extremities.
Varicose veins in pregnant
women result when increased
levels of the progesterone
hormone cause blood vessels
to relax. During pregnancy,
changes in weight and body
shape, coupled with the extra
pressure your baby puts on
your body, cause your leg
veins to dilate and work much
less efficiently.
So what can be done to al-
leviate suffering from these
conditions and to assist in
Pregnancy & Your Feet
Pregnancy as well as
being a very special
time, is also a time
when your body
undergoes a variety
of changes.
One of these changes
is in relation to feet.
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