Foot Pain During Pregnancy
ACFAS offers mothers-to-be remedies for aching feet. “Oh, my aching feet” is a phrase you hear often from pregnant women. But are sore feet a symptom they just must deal with during pregnancy? According to the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons (ACFAS), the answer is no.
Many remedies are available to help alleviate foot pain. According to Marybeth Crane, DPM, FACFAS, a Dallas-area foot and ankle surgeon, women often experience foot pain during pregnancy because of increased weight, foot instability and swelling. “In the last five years, I’ve seen an increase in pregnant women with foot pain because more women than ever before are active, even running marathons, during their pregnancies,” Dr.
Crane says. ACFAS recommends the following guidelines to help reduce foot pain during pregnancy. Painful, Swollen Feet —Pregnant women often experience throbbing, swollen feet due to excess fluid buildup (edema) in the feet from the weight and position of the baby.
- To reduce swelling, put feet up whenever possible, stretch legs frequently, wear wide comfortable shoes and do not cross legs when sitting.
- Arch Pain —Pain in the arch can be due to both arch fatigue or overpronation (or the flattening of the arch).
- Overpronation causes extreme stress to the ligament (the plantar fascia) that holds up the arch of the foot.
The best way to prevent arch pain is to stretch daily in the morning and before and after any exercise, do not go barefoot and wear supportive low-heeled shoes. Ingrown Toenails —Excessive stress from tightly fitting shoes causes painful ingrown toenails.
- Give your feet a break: wear wider shoes during the last trimester of pregnancy to avoid ingrown toenails.
- If you experience an ingrown toenail, avoid attempting “bathroom surgery.” Repeated cutting of the nail can cause the condition to worsen over time.
- It is best to seek treatment with a foot and ankle surgeon.
It is also not uncommon for women to experience a change in their foot size during pregnancy. “A permanent growth in a women’s foot, up to half a size, can occur from the release of the same hormone, relaxin, that allows the pelvis to open to deliver the baby. (View full-size PDF)
Contents
Why do my feet feel tight during pregnancy?
Foot and Ankle Swelling During Pregnancy – Swelling (edema) is an increase in fluid in the tissues of your body. Swelling in your feet and ankles during pregnancy is very common. When you’re pregnant, swelling is usually caused by an increase in blood volume that occurs to help your body carry extra oxygen and nutrients to the fetus.
Pregnancy hormones can also cause changes in the blood vessels, which can lead to swelling. All the extra fluid needs a place to go, and gravity usually pulls it down to your feet and ankles. You may notice that your shoes are getting too tight. Increases in your foot size from swelling are common, but also temporary.
Foot and ankle swelling during pregnancy is normal when it is the same on both sides of the body (symmetric) and painless. However, swelling that is painful or on just one side (asymmetric) can be a sign of a more serious medical problem like a blood clot.
Is it good to rub your feet while pregnant?
Swollen Feet Pregnancy FIX (STOP Pregnancy Edema Fast!)
Can foot massage cause miscarriage? – If performed in the right way and by a professional, a foot massage should not cause miscarriage in the first trimester of pregnancy provided that all risks are taken into account. If you want to have a good relaxation when you are pregnant, then a foot massage is quite a great way to go.
- Pregnant women having a regular reflexology foot massage, while avoiding areas that cause risks, can improve good mental health and as well as physical balance while relieving stress and anxiety of pregnancy.
- According to the reflexology principle, by massaging certain areas on your feet and as well as your hands, you can influence the other areas and organs in your body.
However, please note that you need to consult your doctor at all times before applying to any reflexology treatments. Also, it’s better to know how much experience does your reflexologist has with pregnant women.
Can I soak my feet in hot water while pregnant?
#7: Epsom Salt Foot Soak – Grab a large bowl or basin and fill it with warm water and ½ a cup of Epsom salt—and you’ve got an at-home spa! Soaking your feet for 15 minutes will not only help reduce swelling, but could help ease aching feet, too. If you want a full on bath, add a full cup of Epsom salt to your bathtub—just make sure your bath water isn’t too hot,
Can you get a foot massage while pregnant?
Urinary bladder 67 – Where is it? This area is on the corner of the pinky toe, right near the toenail. Why avoid it? Massage here is said to bring on contractions and get your baby in position for delivery, That said, several studies involving pregnant women paint a different picture.
Apply a generous amount of massage oil or lotion to reduce friction and get that silky feeling. Start by loosening the ankle with a gentle shaking motion from side to side. Hold the foot with both hands and then rub the top of the foot with firm upward strokes. Always stroke upward toward the heart, as that enhances circulation. Come back with a lighter stroke.Massage the toes too, giving them a gentle tug. Rub between the toes.Squeeze the heels.Move on to rubbing the bottom of the foot.
You can alternate the amount of pressure applied by using your fingers to apply lighter pressure and your thumbs, knuckles, and palms to apply deeper pressure. Ready for more? Don’t stop at a foot massage use the same techniques to massage the calves and thighs.
Why husbands should massage their pregnant wife?
Key points –
- Back massage promotes breast milk production.
- Massage reduces pain and anxiety levels during labor.
- Childbirth satisfaction is significantly increased with massage.
It might not come as a surprise, but since the COVID-19 pandemic forced many into lockdown, there has been a surge in pregnancies in the United States. Initially, the onset of the pandemic resulted in a “baby-bust” where there were fewer pregnancies as compared to the previous year; those numbers have since reversed, however, and the U.S. has seen a rebound in pregnancy numbers. Source: Pexels/Ivan Samkov Following the overturn of Roe v. Wade in June 2022, family planning has been a topic of conversation for a lot of households. For those who are already expecting, added stress to pregnancy can be harmful to the mother and child.
- Thankfully, romantic partners can help pregnant companions through massage.
- Massages are a great way to reduce stress for both the receiver and provider.
- Not only does massage between romantic partners increase feelings of closeness, but this specific behavior also has several health benefits for mothers.
Here are four benefits of massage for pregnant women:
- Back massages promote oxytocin and break milk production. For new mums, the stimulation of spinal muscles through massage encourages the release of oxytocin in the body and increases milk production. In this study, mothers were asked to sit on a chair and lean forward with their arms on the table without clothing on the upper half of their bodies. The massage, provided by a researcher, massaged the spinal muscles. This type of massage would be easy to reproduce at home by a romantic partner and likely would reap the same benefits.
- Endorphins from massages help anxiety levels during labor. Massages are known to stimulate the production of endorphins in the body. Because endorphins help promote a sense of calm and comfort, mothers who receive a light massage can significantly reduce their anxiety levels during labor.
- Massage reduces back pain in the third trimester. Lower lumbar pain is a common experience for mothers as their bodies adjust to pregnancy. Another benefit of endorphins being released through massage is that endorphins help reduce discomfort and pain in the body. A review of nine journal articles indicates that massage in the third trimester can significantly produce endorphins and reduce back pain for mothers.
- Massage significantly improves childbirth satisfaction. Any mums out there can attest to the stressful experience of labor. A systematic review of six journal articles indicated that massage significantly helps childbirth satisfaction. Apart from the clear physiological benefits of massage mentioned above, it is apparent that massage can ease the mind of mothers which can significantly and positively impact their reflections on childbirth.
Source: Pexels/Nothing Ahead For most people, massages are a great way to wind down and feel completely relaxed. Such benefits may arguably be even more important for women during pregnancy, as well as during and after labor. Physiologically, massage produces oxytocin and endorphins in the body which consequently helps milk production and reduces physical pain and discomfort.
Psychologically, massage reduces anxiety and improves childbirth satisfaction for mothers. If you have a pregnant partner and want to find additional ways to help them, offer them a massage and witness firsthand the benefits of this affectionate touch. References Astuti, K.E.W., Murwati, M., & Fitriani, N.
(2022). The effect of endorphin massage on reducing the intensity of back pain in third-trimester pregnant women: A systematic review. Journal of Maternal and Child Health, 7(2), 148–158. Maghalian, M., Kamalifard, M., Hassanzadeh, R., & Mirghafourvand, M.
(2022). The effect of massage on childbirth satisfaction: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Advances in Integrative Medicine. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aimed.2022.05.002 Nikmah, A.N., Prasetiyanti, D.K., Winarti, E., Meireza, K., & Ogasawara, H. (2022). Effect endorphin massage on anxiety labor levels of first stage.
Journal Of Nursing Practice, 5(2), 261–265. https://doi.org/10.30994/jnp.v5i2.219 Utami, R.B., Astutik, P., Rukmawati, S., Nurhayati, R., & Retnoningrum, A.D. (2020). Effectiveness of oxytocin massage and breast treatment about the adequacy of breast milk in post partum.
How should I sleep to relieve foot pain?
Elevate Your Legs – Using a thick pillow, prop up your legs and feet to keep them elevated while you sleep. You can also use a bed wedge for legs, which will help them stay elevated all night long. Aim for at least six inches of elevation above the heart. This effectively reduces inflammation and improves by facilitating blood flow from the legs throughout the body.
How can I massage my feet at home while pregnant?
Urinary bladder 67 – Where is it? This area is on the corner of the pinky toe, right near the toenail. Why avoid it? Massage here is said to bring on contractions and get your baby in position for delivery, That said, several studies involving pregnant women paint a different picture.
Apply a generous amount of massage oil or lotion to reduce friction and get that silky feeling. Start by loosening the ankle with a gentle shaking motion from side to side. Hold the foot with both hands and then rub the top of the foot with firm upward strokes. Always stroke upward toward the heart, as that enhances circulation. Come back with a lighter stroke.Massage the toes too, giving them a gentle tug. Rub between the toes.Squeeze the heels.Move on to rubbing the bottom of the foot.
You can alternate the amount of pressure applied by using your fingers to apply lighter pressure and your thumbs, knuckles, and palms to apply deeper pressure. Ready for more? Don’t stop at a foot massage use the same techniques to massage the calves and thighs.
Does hot water help swollen feet during pregnancy?
#7: Epsom Salt Foot Soak – Grab a large bowl or basin and fill it with warm water and ½ a cup of Epsom salt—and you’ve got an at-home spa! Soaking your feet for 15 minutes will not only help reduce swelling, but could help ease aching feet, too. If you want a full on bath, add a full cup of Epsom salt to your bathtub—just make sure your bath water isn’t too hot,
Can you massage swollen pregnant feet?
6. Foot massage – Massage can be great for swollen feet and also promotes relaxation. During pregnancy, swelling is common. Massaging your feet is an effective way to provide relief to swollen feet, as it will move the fluid away and reduce swelling.