Foot Care During Pregnancy

As a woman goes through the different stages of pregnancy, many things happen to her body, with foot swelling being one of the most common problems.  There are also certain conditions that cause swelling in the shins or ankles during pregnancy.  In general, foot swelling becomes evident during the fifth month of a woman’s pregnancy. However, this problem is different for each pregnant female. Foot swelling during pregnancy is another problem that moms-to-be have to deal with, and happens because of fluid buildup in the feet.  While there are women who find it difficult to relieve the inflammation of their feet, there are also incidences of swelling that gradually subside after the pregnant woman rests or massages her feet.

Foot Care Tips for Pregnant Women

 Here are some foot care tips that may help pregnant women ease the pain and swelling of their feet:

• Drink plenty of water. Pregnant women should consume a minimum of 6-8  glasses of fluids and water every day. This will help in the elimination of toxins within the body.
• Avoid excessively warm places. This is an important reminder, since high temperatures may lessen the body’s water content. When this happens, the amount of fluids within the body of a pregnant woman will experience significant fluctuations.
• Refrain from standing for long periods of time. Not only will this lead to aching feet, it will also cause significant swelling. This is due to the fact that there is more flow of the fluids to the pregnant woman’s lower body parts, like the legs and feet. When the fluids enter these body parts, it often results in swelling and inflammation.
• Keep a healthy and well-balanced diet. This is essential for all pregnant women. If there is a lack of an important food source or the mom-to-be eats unhealthy foods, there is a higher likelihood of toxic waste buildup in the body. Once there is an accumulation of toxic substances, this will lead to feet swelling.
• Wear appropriatefootwear.  Whenever possible, wear the most comfortable and well-fitting pair of shoes.  These should neither be too tight to cause undue pressure, not too loose to induce uncomfortable rubbing on certain points in your feet.  If you must wear high heels for a certain occasion, be sure to wear orthotic insoles designed for high heel shoes.
• Pregnant women should change their sleeping position all of the time. This should be remembered while the pregnant mom is sleeping. If the lying position is the same continuously, pressure builds up on that side. When this happens, there is a high possibility of the feet swelling up. To keep this from happening, the feet should be supported. The support can come from propped-up pillows or cushions. This way, the body’s fluids will not gather within the area of the feet.
• Refrain from wearing tight jeans or trousers. When a pregnant woman does otherwise, pressure around the legs will increase. This can lead to foot and ankle pain. The mom-to-be should wear loose pants or anything that is comfortable to the legs.
• Exercise regularly. This is the best remedy for any foot swelling and foot swelling pain. Exercising will help with the proper circulation of fluids and blood within the body.