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Babying Your Feet

Preventing Foot Problems During Pregnancy

By Kate Prior

gynecology at Case School of Medicine and University Hospitals of Cleveland. In a clean and well-ventilated facility, Greenfield says a pedicure can help you trim your toenails and relax.

At the Crown Jewel Spa and Salon in Grand Rapids, Mich., women have several rejuvenating options to soothe and revitalize sore feet. "Our Crown Jewel Pedicure helps stimulate circulation as well as revitalize tired feet," says Nina Masarweh, the pedicure professional at Crown Jewel. "We use eucalyptus and Turkish salts to exfoliate the feet and follow that with a eucalyptus foot bath."

Although a foot massage is included in the pedicure package, Masarweh never applies pressure to expectant mothers' feet. "There are points on the foot that can cause women to have contractions," she says. "We can rub the foot, but we really avoid applying pressure."

Before you schedule an appointment, Masarweh recommends telling the spa your delivery date. "We only do massages on women over the fourth month and never in the first trimester since it's dangerous," she says. Nonetheless, Masarweh, herself a mother of two, advises expecting mothers to indulge themselves with a pedicure or a foot massage. "There's really nothing like it."

Along with getting new shoes, Campbell treated herself to a spa-style pedicure. "I felt harried by the pain in my feet," she says. "Just being able to relax and get a pedicure made me feel better."

Since her son's birth, Campbell's feet have gone back to their normal size. She still recalls how taking care of her feet helped her through the last months of her pregnancy. "Doing something about the pain made me feel like I was back in control again."

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!