Weight gain and hormonal changes in pregnancy have a huge impact on the body and your feet can often bear the brunt of the major changes which a woman’s body will go through. Many women find they are unable to reach their feet in the later stages of pregnancy and can suffer with swelling, cramps, aching, itchiness and varicose veins on their lower limbs. Foot problems in pregnancy can cause unpleasant discomfort, and Feet for Life month aims to make women more aware of foot health issues and what they can do to help prevent them.
Key foot health issues in pregnancy
Swollen legs and feet: During pregnancy, the uterus puts pressure on veins in the pelvis, slowing down the return of blood to the heart. Blood vessels in your toes are among the smallest in the body which can cause fluid from the veins to leak into surrounding tissues of the legs and feet causing swelling and sometimes throbbing. Feet can increase in size and you may need to wear a larger shoe size.
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