Top 5 Foot Care Tips to Have Healthy Feet During Pregnancy
Hormonal changes and weight gain during
pregnancy are common. Yet, most women don’t give much importance to their foothealth though the feet do bear the brunt of some major changes happening during
this stage. From cramps and foot pain to swelling due to varicose veins on
lower limbs and itchiness, foot problems can create a lot of discomfort during
pregnancy. Here are five foot care tips which you can follow to ensure you have
healthy feet during pregnancy.
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Image Courtesy: Pixabay |
1. Make your feet strong with strengthening exercises: Ideally, you should start doing foot strengthening exercises such as ankle rotation, toe curls, leg shake, thigh shift, etc. early on in your pregnancy to ensure your feet are prepared to handle the additional weight, which you will be gaining over the next few months.
2. Stay active:
Staying up on your feet for most part of the day would mean your feet getting
used, which would help them steer clear of going numb. So, instead of lying
down or sitting for long hours at a stretch, you should move around the house,
go for short walks in your neighborhood or simply do some light exercise as all
these will increase the overall blood flow in your body, including in your legs
and feet.
3.Choose supportive
and comfortable footwear: Choosing the right footwear (preferably with laces, straps
or Velcro) is crucial to avoid foot discomfort during pregnancy. Ideally, you
should avoid wearing all types of heels as they will put unnecessary pressure
on your joints which are already under a lot of strain. However, if you must
wear them for some reason, opt for a heel height of 3 cm as it will shift your
weight a little forward on your feet, which can help lessen discomfort. You
should also avoid wearing shoes with tapered toe boxes as they will cramp up your
feet and make them prone to sensitivity, swelling, etc.
4. Pamper your feet
with massages and foot therapies: Opt for foot treatments and massages that
will improve the blood flow in your feet and reduce the stress on them, thus
making them feel relaxed and rejuvenated. Since your swelling stomach will make
it difficult to reach out to your feet, you may even opt for pampering pedicure
sessions to loosen up your nerves and keep your feet cleansed and moisturized,
which will help avoid itching and also avoid problems caused by dirt, fungal
infection, etc.
5. Wear compression
stockings and orthotic shoes after consulting your doctor: Doctors often
suggest wearing compression stockings to control leg swelling in pregnant women
with varicose veins. Such stockings also help prevent symptoms like tension and
heaviness in the legs. You may even use orthotic shoes that offer your feet
additional support and comfort compared to your usual footwear. However, you should
use compression stockings and orthotic shoes as recommended by your doctor and
not according to your whims and fancies because the wrong product may end up
doing more harm than good.
Pregnancy is a blissful phase and with
these tips, you can ensure you have healthy feet to support you during this
period.
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