In addition to taking care of your physical and mental well-being, it is essential to keep investing in extra self-care during your pregnancy to help make the journey more comfortable. For instance, foot care is one of the aspects you should cater to if you are experiencing symptoms that include stiffness and limited motion in the back or legs, says NCBI.
The various changes occurring in your body can change your center of gravity. Ultimately, your feet have to bear the entire added weight, leading to fat feet during pregnancy. These could be severely uncomfortable if you do not take care of your feet. We are here to help you do just that. The tips mentioned below will guide you to an inclusive foot-care routine so that your nine months as a soon-to-be mother remain comfortable.
Elevate your feet –
Resting your feet over a raised pillow when sleeping will help reduce the side effects of swollen feet, including edema. It is crucial to maintain a balance between sitting and moving all day. Elevate your feet 6 to 12 inches above your chest to help reduce the swelling and promote improved blood circulation.
Exercise regularly –
Being pregnant should not mean neglecting your physical activity. In fact, during those nine months, it becomes even more critical to inculcate a habit of exercising regularly. For instance, you could join a yoga class specially planned for mums-to-be, wherein they teach you how to perform simple exercises to relieve foot pain, backaches, and fatigue. They also teach breathing exercises that are essential to ensure a proper oxygen supply to your baby. Remember, since you are now living for two, your physical and mental well-being directly affects your baby’s health.
Sign-up for compression therapy –
Copper compression socks are the most effective, turn-of-the-century products for a new mum-to-be! Get yourself a pair of these, and you can bid goodbye to your aching feet in the most comfortable way possible. These compression socks made with copper enhance the blood circulation in your feet, leading to improved intravenous blood flow. That helps reduce the risk of blood pooling in your veins or an elevated heart rate that could harm both the mother and the child.
Avoid standing for long periods –
While you cater to your health with exercise and stretching, do not forget the importance of rest. Your feet tend to undergo many changes along with your entire body during pregnancy due to the strain of weight gain and changing body composition. So offer yourself some me-time and pamper your feet with natural home remedies like soaking solutions and ice packs, which will help soothe the inflammation.
Perform simple stretches –
Sitting is the new smoking. So give yourself a time out. After every hour of sitting, stand up and perform some light stretches. Essentially take time out for foot exercises such as ankle circles and calf raises to save yourself from the troubles due to varicose veins. Apart from relieving the pain due to swollen feet, these stretches will help improve your posture and your range of motion.
Sleep on your left side –
It is a doctor-recommended practice to keep your uterus away from your liver to avoid discomfort, as well as improve the blood circulation to your heart, fetus, uterus, and kidneys. It is ideal for you and your baby when you sleep facing your left post your third trimester. The blood circulation ensures that the nutrients reach your placenta and your kidneys get a chance to eliminate the wastes correctly, in turn reducing the swelling in your feet, hands, and ankles.
Hopefully, this article gave you insights into a suitable foot-care routine during pregnancy. Trying these methods of taking care of swollen feet during pregnancy will help you eliminate all the discomfort and be able to enjoy and cherish your journey as a mother-to-be.
And if you are dealing with foot fungus, we have a guide on how to treat foot fungus naturally.
Author Bio:
Rory is the R&D Director and passionate entrepreneur, fascinated by the workings of the human body and natural solutions for everyday health problems. He’s single-minded in his aim to make Copper Defence a brand recognized across the globe by partnering with global brands to make these high-tech materials easily accessible for everyone. Email Rory at [email protected] or visit copperclothing.com for copper-infused clothing, pet accessories, and more if you’d like to get in touch.
Resources:
https://www.copperclothing.com/pages/ultimate-guide-to-copper-compression-socks