Foot pain during pregnancy is a very common issue with up to half of those who are pregnant experiencing foot problems at some period during the pregnancy. There are lots of reasons through the pregnancy which might be a cause for this. The most apparent would be the putting on weight. As pregnancy moves along, your body gains weight to support the growing baby. This extra bodyweight can put extra force on the feet, triggering discomfort. Hormonal alterations, mainly the hormone relaxin, may lead to the relaxation of ligaments and joints in your body, including those ligaments in your feet. This can result in lack of stability and bring about foot discomfort. Puffiness or oedema, is a common occurence while being pregnant. Water retention causes the feet to get bigger, ultimately causing discomfort in addition to complications with the fit with the footwear. The hormonal variations also affects the arches of the foot. Many pregnant women experience flattening of the arches, that can result in overpronation (rolling inward of the feet) and cause pain. Because of variations in body weight distribution in addition to hormone effects on joints, women who are pregnant will probably modify their walking biomechanics, which often can contribute to foot pain and discomfort. Using shoes that lack appropriate support or are way too tight fitting may exacerbate foot pain during pregnancy. When the womb increases, it can place pressure on nerve fibres within the lumbar region and pelvis, that could result in referred pain to the feet and elsewhere. Pregnancy may well raise the chance of developing varicose veins, that can cause pain and discomfort within the legs and feet.
A few of the issues that may develop during pregnancy can include stress fractures. Sometimes, the additional weight and alterations in bone strength and density during pregnancy can bring about stress fractures in the foot. Heel pain is a common disorder involving irritation of the plantar fascia, the long ligament which runs across the underside of the foot. Pregnancy-related weight gain and hormone variations might contribute to this condition. This fluid retention may cause peripheral oedema, and that is puffiness in the extremities, including the feet. This tends to bring about discomfort. You can find a number of things that may be done in order to alleviate foot pain and discomfort during pregnancy. Choose supportive and comfortable shoes with great mid-foot (arch) support. Elevate your feet while resting to minimize puffiness. Carry out gentle foot stretches and physical exercises suggested by your healthcare provider. Stay away from sitting or standing for prolonged periods. Make use of cold compresses to help reduce inflammation. When pregnant use a good posture and body biomechanics when walking and standing up. Consider putting on compression hosiery for increasing blood circulation. When the pain is serious or chronic, consult your medical professional to rule out any underlying conditions.