Carrying a child for nine months can be very tiring on the body. A pregnant woman goes through many changes as she grows and nourishes a child. Unfortunately, a pregnant woman’s body also takes a toll. As her belly expands and her weight increases, more stress is added to her feet. Due to this stress, the feet are prone to swelling.

How to Stop Feet from Swelling While Pregnant:

• Avoid long periods of standing or sitting. If you’re on your feet a lot, take breaks and have a seat. If you’re sitting down a lot, take a five-minute stroll at least once an hour. Regular moderate circulation is good for the feet but too much or too little can make swelling worse.
• If possible, elevate your legs when you’re sitting.
• Sleep on your side. If you don’t already, try sleeping on your left side. This will help keep your kidneys functioning smoothly, which helps reduce swelling.
• Try to get some pregnancy-appropriate exercise, such as walking (which keeps the blood flowing instead of pooling) or swimming, both improve circulation.
• Avoid tight elastic-top socks or stockings.
• Wear shoes that are comfortable and fit properly. Consider orthotic shoes or inserts as well, which can make your feet feel better and can reduce leg and back pain during pregnancy too.
• Drink lots of water. It may seem like you are doing more harm than good as you try to flush out fluids with fluids, but drinking eight to ten glasses of water a day will help rid your system of excess sodium and other waste products, minimizing swelling.
• Don’t go crazy with the salt shaker. Limit salt to prevent swelling – but don’t cut it out entirely. Like everything, it’s best to keep your intake in moderation and salt to taste.

If you still have a hard time managing swelling, it is important to have your feet evaluated by a podiatrist. Not only can they craft a custom orthotic for you, but they can check if there are any other underlying conditions that may be contributing to your swollen feet. If you do not have a podiatrist, call Syracuse Podiatry, located in East Syracuse, New York. Board-certified podiatrist Dr. Ryan L. D’Amico and his highly trained team can examine your feet and ankles and determine why they are swelling. Call 315-446-3668 or make an appointment online today.