Common Foot Problems During Pregnancy and What You Can Do About Them

Pregnancy is a joyous and special time. While your new baby develops and grows for 9 months, you also experience many changes to your body.

Physical changes during pregnancy go beyond your growing belly, and even your feet can be impacted by your bundle of joy! Podiatrists Thomas Rambacher, DPM, FACFAS, FAPWCA, and Amber O’Connor, DPM, located at Podiatry Hotline Foot & Ankle in Mission Viejo, California, explain what foot issues can occur during pregnancy and what you can do about them.

The connection between pregnancy and your feet

Pregnancy causes your body to undergo rapid weight and hormonal changes. Your weight distribution and the way you walk also change temporarily.

These changes all impact your center of gravity, how you walk, and how the tendons and ligaments work in your feet. All of these can lead to certain common foot problems during pregnancy.

Some changes to your feet resolve after giving birth, while a few remain permanent. It’s not uncommon for your feet to stay a slightly bigger size for good after giving birth.

Pregnancy foot problems and solutions

You can potentially develop any of the same podiatry complications when pregnant that you get while not expecting, but a few conditions are especially common. Conditions specifically linked to pregnancy include:

Swollen feet

Swelling is the most common side effect in your feet during pregnancy. To support your growing baby, your body retains additional fluid. This causes a condition called edema.

Edema makes your feet and ankles swell during pregnancy, which can be uncomfortable and painful. Your feet get bigger and wider, and your favorite shoes might not fit.

You can reduce swelling to some extent by eating a healthy diet low in sodium, elevating your feet, drinking enough water, and getting enough sleep. You can cope with any remaining swelling by:

• Wearing shoes that fit your current pregnancy size
• Ensuring shoes are supportive and wide
• Wearing compression socks
• Soaking your feet in cool water
• Stretching your legs regularly
• Not crossing your legs

Contact our team or your ob/gyn immediately if your swelling suddenly becomes severe. This can be a sign of a potentially dangerous pregnancy complication called pre-eclampsia. 

Ingrown toenails

Swollen feet and softening toenails during pregnancy put you at greater risk for ingrown toenails. Your expanding feet can also mean your shoes are too small and hit your toenails, and a growing belly makes it harder to trim your nails properly.

Wearing shoes with lots of space in the toe box reduces your risk, as does getting help maintaining your toenails if you’re having trouble doing it yourself. Rather than trying to treat an ingrown toenail yourself, let our team know immediately if you have one while pregnant.

Our team ensures your ingrown toenail and any resulting infections are treated in a pregnancy-safe manner.

Less arch support

Your ligaments soften and muscles relax during pregnancy. This can lead to foot pain and problems around your arch, including:

• Flat feet
• Plantar fasciitis
• Tendon and muscle strains

We help you with solutions for common arch issues during pregnancy that provide relief, including fitting medical-grade custom orthotics, creating a stretching routine, and recommending good shoes that support the arch.

Being pregnant can make your body and feet uncomfortable, but the right care keeps you active and thriving as your feet carry the weight of your growing baby. Contact us if you’re pregnant and need assistance managing your feet.