Search
Search

Six Tips For Relieving Leg Pain During Pregnancy

  1. Take off your shoes once every few hours
    Even if you opt for wide and comfortable shoes, swelling can still cause pressure. Just like when you wear tight jeans and gradually swell, the pressure increases. Therefore, it’s important to give your feet a break by taking off your shoes every few hours. You can also ask your partner for a foot massage (after all, you’re doing all the hard work during this pregnancy).
  2. Keep your legs moving
    When your feet are confined in shoes and the joints and tendons don’t move much, the pressure on them increases. In addition to taking off your shoes (as mentioned in tip #1), it’s essential to keep your feet moving to reduce swelling. If you don’t want to be the only one moving your legs, encourage those around you to join in. You don’t need to overthink it – make up something fun for them to do (like asking for a Turkey flavored ice cream or a chocolate jam sandwich with a pickle).
  3. Feet up!
    When the pain worsens, elevate your legs above heart level. This helps reduce swelling by allowing the edema to drain back into the body, thus, preventing further swelling. You don’t need to raise your feet to the height of your chest; simply lying down with your legs elevated will suffice. This is also why swelling is typically less common in the morning, as you lay down during the night.
  4. Soothe your feet with cold water
    The swelling can cause your feet to feel warm. Placing your feet in a bowl of cold water can help cool them down and reduce pressure.
  5. Avoid prolonged standing
    Walking, although more challenging with edema, does not exacerbate the pain. On the other hand, standing for long periods can cause more discomfort. Walking improves blood flow as it stimulates muscle contraction, which helps pump blood from the legs back to the heart. When standing, many muscles are static, slowing down blood flow back to the heart.
  6. Pay attention to warning signs
    If your legs are swollen and edematous, take extra care to avoid dry skin, pressure marks, and abrasions, including around the corners of your toenails. If you experience any of these symptoms, it’s important to consult with a doctor.

The Writer is Dr. Mati Nof – Foot & Ankle Orthopedic surgeon, member of the American Foot & Ankle Orthopedic Society.

Share:

More Posts

Contact Information

Navigate Site

Links

Be the first to know

Follow us

Facebook-f Instagram Tiktok Whatsapp

© For Mommy - Your pregnancy. Your shoes

Skip to content