Pregnant women experience many different aches and pains throughout their pregnancy. One of the common complaints is aching or swollen feet. You don’t have to suffer with foot pain for nine months!According to the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons (ACFAS),there are many things you can do to help alleviate foot pain.

Here are some helpful tips The ACFAS recommends to help reduce foot pain during pregnancy:

Painful, Swollen Feet —Pregnant women often experience throbbing, swollen feet. This can be caused by excess fluid buildup in the feet from the weight and position of the baby. To help reduce swelling, put feet up as often as possible, stretch legs frequently, wear wide comfortable shoes, and do not cross legs when sitting.

Arch Pain —Pain in the arch can be caused by a flattening of the arch called overpronation. This causes extreme stress to the ligament that holds up the arch. To help prevent arch pain, stretch daily in the morning and before exercising.Wearing supportive low-heeled shoes and not going barefoot has also shown to help reduce arch pain.

Ingrown Toenails —Shoes that fit too tight can cause ingrown toenails. These can be very painful! To help avoid ingrown toenails, wear wider shoes during the last trimester of pregnancy. Do not attempt to fix an ingrown toenail on your own as repeated cutting can actually make the condition worse. It is best to seek treatment with your Podiatrist.

Help your pregnancy be a bit more enjoyable by taking care of yourself and your feet! If you are experiencing foot pain that persists, contact Dr. Kylin Kovac for help!