Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsFoot and Heel Problems During PregnancyFoot and Ankle Swelling During PregnancyLeg Cramps During PregnancyVaricose Veins During PregnancyToenail Changes During PregnancySummary
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Foot and Heel Problems During Pregnancy
Foot and Ankle Swelling During Pregnancy
Leg Cramps During Pregnancy
Varicose Veins During Pregnancy
Toenail Changes During Pregnancy
Summary
Changes in your feet during pregnancy are common and often treatable at home. You may have foot cramps and swelling, more noticeable veins, and even toenail problems. Resting often, stretching, staying hydrated, wearing shoes that fit, and using compression stockings can help treat most changes in your feet and legs while you’re pregnant.
Most of these conditions are not serious, but there are times when changes in your legs and feet can be a sign of a pregnancy complication, like preeclampsia, that needs medical attention.
This article will cover the common causes of foot and leg changes during pregnancy and tips for relieving your symptoms.
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The levels of hormones in your body increase duringpregnancy. Some of these hormones relax ligaments and other structures to prepare the body for a vaginal birth. These same hormones also relax the ligaments in other parts of your body including your feet. Lax ligaments can lead toflat feet (fallen arches)andoverpronation.
Your growing uterus, fetus, and breasts contribute to pregnancy weight gain that puts extra stress on your feet, especially the arches. It’s common for pregnant people to have heel pain (plantar fasciitis) because of the extra weight and stress on the arches.
When Do Your Feet Stop Growing?
Prevention and Treatment
There are a few strategies you can use to manage foot and heel pain while you’re pregnant, such as:
Foot Reflexology Explained: Benefits and Practice
Swelling (edema) is an increase in fluid in the tissues of your body.Swelling in your feetand ankles during pregnancy is very common.
All the extra fluid needs a place to go, and gravity usually pulls it down to your feet and ankles. You may notice that your shoes are getting too tight. Increases in your foot size from swelling are common, but also temporary.
Foot and ankle swelling during pregnancy is normal when it is the same on both sides of the body (symmetric) and painless. However, swelling that is painful or on just one side (asymmetric) can be a sign of a more serious medical problem like a blood clot.
When to See a ProviderIf you have swelling in your face, around your eyes, or if the swelling comes on very suddenly, you should see a healthcare provider right away. These could be signs of a potentially life-threatening pregnancy complication calledpreeclampsia.
When to See a Provider
If you have swelling in your face, around your eyes, or if the swelling comes on very suddenly, you should see a healthcare provider right away. These could be signs of a potentially life-threatening pregnancy complication calledpreeclampsia.
Here are a few ways you can manage foot and ankle swelling while you’re pregnant:
Leg cramps are most common during the second trimester of pregnancy. They can happen both day and night but are more common at night.
There are a few steps you can take to manage leg cramps while you’re pregnant, such as:
Lightning Crotch Pain During Pregnancy
Varicose veins are veins that have become enlarged and usually stick out above the surface of the skin. They can look like twisted, purple cords or strings. Increased blood volume and pregnancy hormones cause changes in the blood vessels that can lead to varicose veins.
There are a few strategies that can help with varicose veins during pregnancy:
Your toenails tend to grow faster while you’re pregnant due to the increased blood volume and circulation of hormones.Prenatal vitaminscan also help to improve the overall health of your hair and nails.
On the other hand, since your body is providing nutrition to a growing fetus, the cells in your toenails may not get enough nutrients.
As a result, you may notice nail changes such as brittleness, ridges or grooves that go across your nail, or dark, discolored lines/streaks (melanonychia) in the nail bed.A nail might even become loose and fall off.
Nail changes will usually go away after you give birth.
If you’re noticing nail changes during pregnancy, here are a few tips that can help:
It’s normal to notice some changes in your feet and legs while you’re pregnant. Swelling, cramps, and varicose veins are common in pregnancy and can usually be managed with at-home treatments and recommendations from your provider.
However, changes in your body while you’re pregnant can sometimes be a sign of a problem. If you have swelling in your face or any swelling that comes on fast, call your provider right away. This can be a sign of a potentially serious condition called preeclampsia.
17 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Segal NA, Boyer ER, Teran-Yengle P, Glass NA, Hillstrom HJ, Yack HJ.Pregnancy leads to lasting changes in foot structure.Am J Phys Med Rehabil. 2013;92(3):232-240. doi:10.1097/PHM.0b013e31827443a9South Texas Podiatrist.Foot pain during pregnancy.Cakmak B, Ribeiro AP, Inanir A.Postural balance and the risk of falling during pregnancy.J Matern Fetal Neonatal Med. 2016;29(10):1623-1625. doi:10.3109/14767058.2015.1057490The Podiatry Group of South Texas.Managing foot pain while pregnant.Smyth RM, Aflaifel N, Bamigboye AA.Interventions for varicose veins and leg oedema in pregnancy.Cochraine Database Syst Rev.2015 Oct 19;(10):CD001066.NHS UK.Swollen ankles, feet, and fingers in pregnancy.Mount Sinai.Preeclampsia.UT Southwestern.5 ways to manage swollen legs and feet during pregnancy.Zhou K, West HM, Zhang J, Xu L, Li W.Interventions for leg cramps in pregnancy.Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2015 Aug 11;(8):CD010655.University of New Mexico.What causes leg cramps in pregnancy?Nemours KidsHealth.How can I relieve my pregnancy leg cramps?Michigan Health.6 things to know about your feet during pregnancy.Cedars-Sinai.Hemorrhoids and varicose veins in pregnancy.Nemours KidsHealth.Why do some pregnant women get varicose veins?Erpolat S, Eser A, Kaygusuz I, Balci H, Kosus A, Kosus N.Nail alterations during pregnancy: a clinical study.Int J Dermatol. 2016;55(10):1172-1175. doi:10.1111/ijd.13316MyHealth Alberta.Pregnancy: Changes in feet and ankles.MedlinePlus.Skin and hair changes during pregnancy.
17 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Segal NA, Boyer ER, Teran-Yengle P, Glass NA, Hillstrom HJ, Yack HJ.Pregnancy leads to lasting changes in foot structure.Am J Phys Med Rehabil. 2013;92(3):232-240. doi:10.1097/PHM.0b013e31827443a9South Texas Podiatrist.Foot pain during pregnancy.Cakmak B, Ribeiro AP, Inanir A.Postural balance and the risk of falling during pregnancy.J Matern Fetal Neonatal Med. 2016;29(10):1623-1625. doi:10.3109/14767058.2015.1057490The Podiatry Group of South Texas.Managing foot pain while pregnant.Smyth RM, Aflaifel N, Bamigboye AA.Interventions for varicose veins and leg oedema in pregnancy.Cochraine Database Syst Rev.2015 Oct 19;(10):CD001066.NHS UK.Swollen ankles, feet, and fingers in pregnancy.Mount Sinai.Preeclampsia.UT Southwestern.5 ways to manage swollen legs and feet during pregnancy.Zhou K, West HM, Zhang J, Xu L, Li W.Interventions for leg cramps in pregnancy.Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2015 Aug 11;(8):CD010655.University of New Mexico.What causes leg cramps in pregnancy?Nemours KidsHealth.How can I relieve my pregnancy leg cramps?Michigan Health.6 things to know about your feet during pregnancy.Cedars-Sinai.Hemorrhoids and varicose veins in pregnancy.Nemours KidsHealth.Why do some pregnant women get varicose veins?Erpolat S, Eser A, Kaygusuz I, Balci H, Kosus A, Kosus N.Nail alterations during pregnancy: a clinical study.Int J Dermatol. 2016;55(10):1172-1175. doi:10.1111/ijd.13316MyHealth Alberta.Pregnancy: Changes in feet and ankles.MedlinePlus.Skin and hair changes during pregnancy.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Segal NA, Boyer ER, Teran-Yengle P, Glass NA, Hillstrom HJ, Yack HJ.Pregnancy leads to lasting changes in foot structure.Am J Phys Med Rehabil. 2013;92(3):232-240. doi:10.1097/PHM.0b013e31827443a9South Texas Podiatrist.Foot pain during pregnancy.Cakmak B, Ribeiro AP, Inanir A.Postural balance and the risk of falling during pregnancy.J Matern Fetal Neonatal Med. 2016;29(10):1623-1625. doi:10.3109/14767058.2015.1057490The Podiatry Group of South Texas.Managing foot pain while pregnant.Smyth RM, Aflaifel N, Bamigboye AA.Interventions for varicose veins and leg oedema in pregnancy.Cochraine Database Syst Rev.2015 Oct 19;(10):CD001066.NHS UK.Swollen ankles, feet, and fingers in pregnancy.Mount Sinai.Preeclampsia.UT Southwestern.5 ways to manage swollen legs and feet during pregnancy.Zhou K, West HM, Zhang J, Xu L, Li W.Interventions for leg cramps in pregnancy.Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2015 Aug 11;(8):CD010655.University of New Mexico.What causes leg cramps in pregnancy?Nemours KidsHealth.How can I relieve my pregnancy leg cramps?Michigan Health.6 things to know about your feet during pregnancy.Cedars-Sinai.Hemorrhoids and varicose veins in pregnancy.Nemours KidsHealth.Why do some pregnant women get varicose veins?Erpolat S, Eser A, Kaygusuz I, Balci H, Kosus A, Kosus N.Nail alterations during pregnancy: a clinical study.Int J Dermatol. 2016;55(10):1172-1175. doi:10.1111/ijd.13316MyHealth Alberta.Pregnancy: Changes in feet and ankles.MedlinePlus.Skin and hair changes during pregnancy.
Segal NA, Boyer ER, Teran-Yengle P, Glass NA, Hillstrom HJ, Yack HJ.Pregnancy leads to lasting changes in foot structure.Am J Phys Med Rehabil. 2013;92(3):232-240. doi:10.1097/PHM.0b013e31827443a9
South Texas Podiatrist.Foot pain during pregnancy.
Cakmak B, Ribeiro AP, Inanir A.Postural balance and the risk of falling during pregnancy.J Matern Fetal Neonatal Med. 2016;29(10):1623-1625. doi:10.3109/14767058.2015.1057490
The Podiatry Group of South Texas.Managing foot pain while pregnant.
Smyth RM, Aflaifel N, Bamigboye AA.Interventions for varicose veins and leg oedema in pregnancy.Cochraine Database Syst Rev.2015 Oct 19;(10):CD001066.
NHS UK.Swollen ankles, feet, and fingers in pregnancy.
Mount Sinai.Preeclampsia.
UT Southwestern.5 ways to manage swollen legs and feet during pregnancy.
Zhou K, West HM, Zhang J, Xu L, Li W.Interventions for leg cramps in pregnancy.Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2015 Aug 11;(8):CD010655.
University of New Mexico.What causes leg cramps in pregnancy?
Nemours KidsHealth.How can I relieve my pregnancy leg cramps?
Michigan Health.6 things to know about your feet during pregnancy.
Cedars-Sinai.Hemorrhoids and varicose veins in pregnancy.
Nemours KidsHealth.Why do some pregnant women get varicose veins?
Erpolat S, Eser A, Kaygusuz I, Balci H, Kosus A, Kosus N.Nail alterations during pregnancy: a clinical study.Int J Dermatol. 2016;55(10):1172-1175. doi:10.1111/ijd.13316
MyHealth Alberta.Pregnancy: Changes in feet and ankles.
MedlinePlus.Skin and hair changes during pregnancy.
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