Tips for Soothing Swollen Feet and Legs During Pregnancy
Pregnancy can be uncomfortable, to say the least. The only thing worse than trying to maneuver around with your growing bump is trying to do so with swollen, achy feet and legs—and unfortunately they’re a common symptom during pregnancy and the early days of postpartum recovery. But why do your feet and legs tend to swell, and how can you find some relief? During pregnancy, your body produces roughly 50 percent more blood and fluid to meet baby’s needs, often causing swelling in the feet, ankles and legs. The weight of the growing baby and uterus also puts pressure on the veins that pass through the pelvis carrying blood back to the heart, impeding circulation and contributing to the swelling. The swelling can also cause your legs to feel heavy and achy. Combined with the lax ligaments in the hips, pelvis and feet joints during pregnancy, leg pain is also a common pregnancy-related complaint. The good news? There’s a lot you can do to help alleviate swollen, achy feet and ...