Pregnancy changes every system in the body, including the feet. As a chiropodist and someone who has experienced pregnancy myself, I wanted to share how pregnancy can affect your feet and offer some practical tips to keep them comfortable and healthy.
What happens to the feet and legs during pregnancy?
Swelling. During pregnancy, your body holds on to more fluid, and your growing uterus can affect circulation in your legs. This can lead to swelling in your feet and ankles. Shoes that used to fit comfortably may start to rub, causing blisters, calluses, and discomfort.
Feet that get longer and wider. Hormonal changes can loosen the ligaments that help support your arches. Combined with the additional weight of pregnancy, this can cause your feet to become longer or wider. For some people, these changes persist after delivery, particularly after a first pregnancy.
Pain and discomfort. Changes in your arches and the additional load on your feet can contribute to heel pain, arch pain, and discomfort in the balls of your feet. Plantar fasciitis, for example, often causes heel pain that is worse with the first steps in the morning. Varicose veins and leg cramps can also occur during pregnancy.
By the third trimester, simply reaching your feet can become a challenge, making nail care harder to manage.
4 tips to support your feet during pregnancy
1. Re-measure your feet and update your footwear.
Have your feet measured for both length and width, and shop later in the day when swelling tends to be greatest. Look for a wide toe box and a firm heel counter which is the part of the shoe that supports the back of your heel. Supportive slip-on styles can be especially helpful as bending to tie your laces becomes more difficult!
2. Get ahead of the swelling.
Graduated compression socks can help manage swelling and discomfort. Have your legs measured for the correct fit and ask a qualified healthcare professional which compression level is appropriate for you. Compression socks may also be helpful after delivery for postpartum swelling.
3. Support your arches.
Choose supportive footwear, including slippers or indoor shoes, especially if walking barefoot on hard floors makes your feet ache. Over-the-counter arch supports and custom foot orthotics help to support your feet by reducing the pressure on your arch and heels.
4. Get help with foot care.
If caring for your nails or calluses becomes physically challenging, a chiropodist can help manage issues such as ingrown toenails, painful calluses, and corns.
What to expect after delivery
Foot discomfort can also exist during the postpartum period. Swelling may linger in the early weeks, and changes in foot size or arch shape may persist.
Heel and arch pain in the first few months postpartum are common concerns I see in my practice. Caring for a newborn can mean more time on your feet, so your footwear still matters.
To help keep your feet comfortable after delivery:
- Wear supportive slippers or indoor shoes at home.
- Continue wearing compression socks if recommended by your healthcare professional.
- Have persistent or worsening heel or arch pain assessed.
When to seek medical advice: Contact your maternity care provider promptly if you develop sudden swelling, particularly with a severe headache or changes in vision. Painful swelling, redness, or warmth in one leg also needs urgent medical assessment. Chest pain or sudden shortness of breath requires emergency care.
Pregnancy is hard enough without sore feet. Whether you are dealing with swelling, heel or arch pain, nails you can no longer reach, or simply need advice on footwear, I would be glad to help during pregnancy or after delivery.
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