How Pregnancy Affects Your Feet: What Every Mum-To-Be Should Know
Pregnancy is a time of incredible change—physically, emotionally, and hormonally. While most expecting mums know to expect morning sickness, cravings, and back pain, one area that’s often overlooked is how pregnancy affects your feet.
At KL Foot Specialist Podiatry, we regularly see patients who are navigating foot pain or changes during pregnancy, often for the first time. So, if your feet suddenly feel sore, swollen, or just different—you’re not imagining it. Let’s break down what’s happening and how we can help.
Swelling (Oedema)
Swelling of the feet and ankles is one of the most common foot complaints during pregnancy. This is due to:
Increased blood volume and fluid retention
Hormonal changes that relax your blood vessels
Pressure from your growing uterus on the veins in your pelvis, which slows the return of blood from your legs
You may notice that your shoes feel tighter by the end of the day, or you may even go up a shoe size temporarily (or permanently in some cases).
How to Manage It:
Elevate your feet when sitting or lying down
Wear compression stockings if recommended by your doctor
Avoid standing for prolonged periods
Choose supportive footwear with room for expansion
Flattening Arches & Overpronation
Pregnancy hormones (especially relaxin) soften the ligaments in your body to prepare for childbirth—but they also affect the ligaments in your feet. This can cause your arches to flatten, leading to a condition called overpronation (rolling inward of the feet).
This change in foot posture may lead to:
Heel pain (plantar fasciitis)
Arch pain
Shin splints
Knee, hip or lower back pain
Some women notice their feet become permanently flatter or wider after pregnancy.
How to Manage It:
Supportive, structured footwear
Custom orthotics to correct foot alignment and relieve pressure
Stretching to improve function
Increased Foot Size
It’s not uncommon for pregnant women to go up half or even a full shoe size. This is mostly due to the combination of:
Ligament laxity
Flattened arches
Swelling
While swelling may resolve post-birth, changes in arch structure can be permanent. Many women find they need to buy new, wider shoes during or after pregnancy.
Foot and Leg Cramps
Foot and leg cramps are frequent during pregnancy, especially at night. Causes include:
Fatigue from carrying extra weight
Circulatory changes
Mineral imbalances (e.g., low magnesium or calcium)
How to Manage It:
Stay hydrated
Do regular calf and foot stretches
Massage or use warm compresses
Eat a balanced diet with plenty of magnesium-rich foods (like leafy greens and nuts)
Weight Gain and Load-Bearing Pressure
Extra weight during pregnancy naturally increases the load placed on your feet. This leads to:
Tired, achy feet
Pain in the heels, arches or balls of your feet
Worsening of pre-existing foot conditions like bunions, corns or flat feet
The longer you’re on your feet, the more noticeable the discomfort may be.
How a Podiatrist Can Help During Pregnancy
At KL Foot Specialist Podiatry, we take a holistic and supportive approach to foot care during pregnancy. Here’s how we can help:
Biomechanical assessments to understand how your walking and posture are changing
Custom orthotics to support flattening arches and relieve pain
Footwear advice tailored to your changing needs
Treatment of common pregnancy-related foot pain (e.g., plantar fasciitis, heel pain, overpronation)
Safe nail and skin care, especially if bending over is getting difficult!
When to See a Podiatrist
It’s a good idea to book an appointment with a podiatrist during pregnancy if:
You’re experiencing new or worsening foot pain
You’re struggling with foot or ankle swelling that isn’t going away
Your shoes no longer fit and you need guidance`
You want to prevent problems before they start—especially in later trimesters
Looking After Your Feet = Looking After You
Your feet literally carry you through pregnancy—so they deserve care and support. Ignoring foot discomfort can lead to long-term issues, especially if you’re planning for multiple pregnancies.
If you’re expecting and want to protect your foot health during this special time, book a consultation with one of our experienced podiatrists at KL Foot Specialist Podiatry. We’ll help keep you comfortable, supported, and mobile—so you can focus on what matters most.
Serving mums across Malaysia
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