Pregnancy triggers a wide range of changes in a woman's body. The additional weight in the torso has immediate effects such as increased curvature in the lower back and a forward tilt of the pelvis. When a woman's center of gravity is altered, the weight bearing stance also changes.

This can cause increased demand on the muscles of the hips, legs and ankles. These changes contribute to the characteristic posture and gait associated with the pregnant women. The fact that feet change during pregnancy comes as no surprise to most women.

 

You may notice that your shoes are feeling tighter or your gait (how you walk) is different. That's because pregnancy can impact everything from your shoe size to your arch height. While some of these changes are temporary, others aren't. 

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The Basics 
 

• Like the rest of your body, your feet can change during your pregnancy. Pregnancy hormones contribute to the loosening of your foot ligaments, causing your feet to expand, your feet and ankles to swell, and your arches to flatten. 
   

• While you're pregnant, help your feet feel better by avoiding high heels, choosing supportive, comfortable shoes and wearing supportive shoes in the house.
   

• Foot expansion during pregnancy is common and can increase your shoe size and width while lowering your arch height.

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Are Pregnancy Foot Changes Permanent?

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Flattened arches can prove to be an enduring problem that develops during pregnancy. But this is also one of the most common foot problems after pregnancy, even after you lose weight. Scientific research has proven that “pregnancy appears to be associated with a persistent loss of arch height and rigidity as well as greater arch drop and foot lengthening,” particularly during the first pregnancy.

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Researchers at the University of Iowa found “changes in the feet could potentially contribute to the increased risk for subsequent musculoskeletal disorders in women,” such as increased pronation and excessive stress on the hips and knees. They also noted that “the use of inexpensive, well-tolerated and widely available arch supporting orthoses during pregnancy could potentially protect the long-term musculoskeletal health of women.” 

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Some tips to reduce swelling and keep your

feet feeling good during pregnancy

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• Support your feet. Wear properly fitting shoes and choose footwear that offers good arch and ankle support and wear them indoors as well.

• Exercise. The more you move will encourage the blood flow out of the feet and legs, into the rest of the body, and reduce swelling.

• Chill. When your feet swell, prop them up and apply an ice pack or soak in a cool water bath to ease pain and reduce swelling.

• Standing. The longer you are on your feet, the more your feet will swell. If possible limit the time spent standing to keep the swelling down.

• Get relief from custom orthotics. Our orthotics are a custom made insert that is inserted into a shoe and used to treat various conditions of the foot and ankle. It realigns the problematic foot joints caused by stress and pressure. It is ideal for supporting relaxed foot arch ligaments during pregnancy that contribute to fallen arches, and preventing arch collapse and related conditions up the kinetic chain by keeping your feet in proper alignment.

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Painful feet late in pregnancy.

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Don’t let your feet suffer more than they have to while you are pregnant. Do your best to provide plenty of support for your feet and rest as often as you can to ease the pressure.  Sometimes, sore, painful feet will take you by surprise much later in pregnancy. And although we generally do not fit for orthotics in late pregnancy, you can still help to make you more comfortable through specific chiropractic adjustments, acupuncture, massage therapy, K-Tape and physiotherapy.

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Painful feet after pregnancy.
 

If your feet are still sore after pregnancy, or you suspect your arches have fallen, we recommend that you come in around 2 months post-partum for an evaluation. It does happen that feet which have flattened during pregnancy, do not always bounce back as expected. In some cases, this could be a permanent condition which may lead to possible foot, ankle, knee, or lower back problems.