Feet Facts: For New and Expecting Moms
Filed Under Fitmom Wellness |
Yes, there is one more thing for you new and expectant moms to be concerned about – your feet! They lug us around for life but sometimes we forget that they need a little TLC every now and then in order to continue to do their job well. Here’s why.
During pregnancy, the hormone relaxin is released throughout your body. Its main purpose is to help certain areas of your body expand during pregnancy and delivery. As this is occurring, your feet are expected to carry more weight than usual and deal with the decreased stability that naturally results because of the laxity in the joints and ligaments. Moving from a size 6 to a 7 shoe is not unheard of during pregnancy, as pregnant women’s arches often begin to fall (caused by overpronation or flat feet) and the feet begin to widen. In addition, your hips are spreading, causing certain points in the knee to become more angular, leaving them vulnerable to pain. As a result, most pregnant women compensate their stance without even knowing it.
Left untreated, these problems can worsen and progress into more serious conditions like plantar fasciitis, heel spurs, metatarsalgia, tendonitis and bunions.
In addition to these conditions, some women may experience swelling of the feet or edema. In most cases, this is not something to be concerned about; however, these can be signs of pregnancy-induced hypertension or preeclampsia, and your caregiver should be contacted.
Here are some tips:
• Determine with your caregiver/holistic practitioner/chiropractor if arch supports might be appropriate and which type would be best. In many cases a generic brand will be acceptable until you’re in the postpartum period and then your feet can be reassessed for a prescription pair if needed.
• Exercise regularly and balance your activity with rest and good nutrition to avoid additional edema.
• After your baby is born, check your shoe fit regularly, especially if you plan to resume high-impact sports like running.
• To help your feet regain their pre-pregnancy state, your shoes may need to be refitted every 3-6 months.
For more feet facts and information to get you back on your feet, go to www.newmom101.com.
Cheers,
Andrea Page
