ARE MY FEET GROWING?

If you have started panicking because your feet seem to be becoming bigger with pregnancy, relax and get to know the facts.

Can you believe that your feet could grow up to one size and a half to twice the size compared to your pre-pregnancy size, during the nine month duration? It is a proven fact that many pregnant women’s feet grow as their pregnancy advances. For some, this change in size can be permanent, while for others, their feet revert to their initial size after delivery.

Another common problem experienced by pregnant women other than that of foot growth is that of swollen feet during pregnancy. This is because of increase in body fluids due to a hormone called oestrogen. Gravitational pull causes this excess body water to gravitate to the legs

When your feet start swelling, you should consult your doctor Just to be sure you are not suffering from pre-eclampsia—a serious condition that can threaten your health and that or the foetus during pregnancy

As a result of the weight gained during this period, your centre of gravity is altered and this increases the pressure on your knees, ankles and feet, You may also suffer from water retention and find that your ankles and feet swell. Sore and swollen feet are often as a result of exhaustion and emotional vulnerability.

Another common foot problem experienced by pregnant women is that of flat feet, which is medically known as over-pronation. Others include fatigue of the lower legs, sudden cramping and feelings of heaviness in the legs while these problems generally occur in combination, they disappear after pregnancy.

Have you ever known that you can keep your feet happy during pregnancy? Feet normally take a great deal of punishment during pregnancy-especially during the third trimester, so try and relax them as much as you can.

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