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Babying Your Feet

Preventing Foot Problems During Pregnancy

By Kate Prior

During pregnancy, expectant mothers are told to eat well, exercise regularly and drink plenty of water. Over time, many women let their discipline slide a bit. If you are experiencing foot pain, take a moment to reevaluate your diet and exercise. Make sure you have regular, healthy meals and avoid junk food. Follow the exercise program you discussed with your doctor and drink plenty of water to reduce swelling and help circulation.

If you are on your feet a lot, take short breaks throughout the day to sit and put your feet up. At work, find something, from a pile of books to an overturned bucket, to become a stool. If you are at home, lie on your left side while you elevate your feet to relieve the pressure on your spine.

If you spend most of your day sitting, continue to elevate your feet. To improve the circulation in your feet, get up once an hour to take a short walk. You also can stretch your feet while sitting by expanding your legs and flexing your feet. When you do this, make sure to rotate your ankles and wiggle your toes.

If you are experiencing foot problems, do not continue to wear your old shoes. Chris Glass, a pedorthist at Ohio Foot Solutions, a specialty foot care store in Reynoldsburg, Ohio, says many expectant mothers think they can wear the same shoe size throughout pregnancy. Few realize that they may be compounding their foot problems. "We really encourage expecting mothers to get a good fit with lots of room," he says. "Some women are surprise when we recommend a looser fit, but we tell them they are going to need the room."

Want to see more?

• Acupuncture: Relief Right to the Point
• The Art of Prenatal Massage
• A Positive Adjustment: Is Chiropractic Care Right for You?
• Talk about it!

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