Posted on March 10, 2008 in Latest News
Pregnancy is a crucial time to maintain the body in the pink of health. This is a time when many hormonal and other changes happen. There are also problems like morning sickness, pigmentation, back pain, acne etc. One of the complaints often overlooked during pregnancy is foot pain. Due to the natural weight gain during pregnancy, a woman’s center of gravity is completely altered. This causes a new weight-bearing stance and added pressure to the knees and feet.
Many women suffer from foot problems during their pregnancy, due to extra pressure exerted on to the feet by weight gain. In fact, it may seem that pregnancy and foot pain go together. However, with few preventive measures, foot pain can be overcome.The most common foot conditions amongst pregnant women are:
- Over Pronation / Flat Feet
- Edema
- Leg Cramps
- Varicose Veins
Over pronation and edema however are the more common problems:
Over-Pronation, also referred to as flat feet, is caused when a person’s arch flattens out upon weight bearing and their feet roll inward when walking. This can create extreme stress or inflammation on the plantar fascia, the fibrous band of tissue that runs from the heel to the forefoot.
Over-pronation can make walking very painful and can increase strain on the feet, calves and/or back. This is one of the reasons for foot pain during pregnancy. The reason many pregnant women suffer from over-pronation is the added pressure on the body as a result of weight gain. Over-pronation is also very prominent in people who have flexible, flat feet or in people who are obese.
Edema is normally experienced during the later part of pregnancy. Edema is usually characterised by swollen feet. Edema results from the extra blood accumulated during pregnancy. The enlarging 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. When feet are swollen, they can become purplish in color. Sometimes extra water is retained during pregnancy, adding to the swelling.
Remedies/Preventive measures
During pregnancy, foot pain and foot conditions such as cramps and edema may arise. Here are few tips to prevent them and take care of your feet during pregnancy :
- Do not give too much strain to your feet. While sitting, lift your legs and rest them on an elevated surface.
- Drink plenty of water. Swelling generally occurs when the body is dehydrated.
- Don’t walk around barefoot: Wear a supportive shoe, one that has a rigid sole and bends only where the foot bends (at the toes).
- Avoid foods high in salt, which tend to promote water retention.
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