FAQs About Postpartum Foot Problems

1 February 2016
 Categories: Health & Medical , Blog


During pregnancy, your body will go through a number of changes. Unfortunately, some of those changes extend beyond the pregnancy and can continue to plague you after the baby is born. Your feet could experience some changes that are long lasting and even permanent. If you are having postpartum feet problems, here is what you need to know.

What Problems Can Occur?

After the baby is born, one problem is your foot size might be permanently changed. The shoe size change can be the result of several factors, including hormones. It could also result from the fact that during your pregnancy, weight gain caused by the growth of the baby can put a great deal of pressure on your feet. An increased shoe size can occur because of this.

Another problem that can occur is edema. Edema can also result from hormonal changes. Ill-fitted shoes, dehydration, and stress can also be contributing factors. Dehydration causes water retention because your body starts to hoard the water that is in your body is in short supply. The result is swelling, or edema.

You might even experience bunions and occasional foot pain.

What Can You Do?

Your options for handling postpartum foot problems depends largely on the nature of the problem. For instance, if you experienced a change in foot size, there is very little you can do outside of ensuring that the shoes you wear in the future are the proper size to avoid the development of other foot problems.

If you are suffering from edema, there are several things you can do to help relieve the symptoms. When possible, elevate your feet. You also need to ensure that the shoes you are wearing fit well. The shoes need to be loose enough not to restrict the flow of blood through your feet.

In addition to these measures, ensure that you are drinking plenty of water. The water will help to keep you hydrated. When your body is properly hydrated, it is likely to retain water. Water retention can also be sparked by an improperly balanced diet. Work with your doctor to create a healthier diet.

Bunions and foot pain should always be assessed by a podiatrist. He or she can determine the underlying cause of the condition and help develop a treatment.

Postpartum foot problems are treatable in many instances. Consult with a podiatrist at a place like Pinker & Associates and your OB/GYN to find out what other methods you can use to help alleviate foot problems and avoid them in the future. 


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