Sore arches, aching heels or shoes that suddenly feel tight? Pregnancy can change the way your feet feel and function. Foot and ankle pain during pregnancy may relate to extra load, changes in foot support or swelling.
From a podiatrist’s perspective, the first step is to understand what is causing the discomfort. That includes recognising when symptoms need assessment by your maternity team.
Why can your feet and ankles hurt during pregnancy?
As pregnancy progresses, changes in body weight, posture and walking patterns can affect the load on your feet and ankles. Hormonal changes can also make supporting tissues more flexible. Some people notice that their feet become wider or their arches sit lower. [1]
Fluid retention can make shoes feel tighter and contribute to discomfort. Gradual swelling in both feet and ankles is common, particularly later in pregnancy, after prolonged standing or towards the end of the day. [2]
Pain under the heel or through the arch, especially with the first steps after resting, can occur with plantar heel pain, often called plantar fasciitis. However, the location and pattern of pain need assessment before assuming this is the cause. Read more about morning heel pain and plantar fasciitis. [3]
When does swelling need urgent medical attention?
Do not assume all swelling or leg pain is a normal part of pregnancy.
Seek urgent medical advice if you develop:
- New swelling, pain, redness or warmth in one leg, which can indicate a blood clot.
- Sudden swelling of your face, hands or feet, particularly with a severe headache, blurred vision or pain under the ribs. These can be signs of pre-eclampsia.
Contact your maternity unit, midwife or doctor immediately for these symptoms. Call 000 for sudden difficulty breathing, chest pain or collapse. Do not wait for a routine podiatry appointment. [4] [5] [6]
What can help with everyday foot discomfort?
Check how your shoes fit now
Your usual shoe size may feel different during pregnancy. Choose comfortable footwear with enough room across the toes, cushioning and an adjustable fastening. Avoid straps or socks that dig into swollen feet.
For heel or arch discomfort, supportive footwear may feel more comfortable than loose, unsupportive shoes. A footwear assessment can help identify fit or support issues. [2] [3]
Break up long periods of standing
Where possible, alternate standing tasks with seated breaks. Resting with your feet elevated can help ease ordinary pregnancy-related swelling. Gentle ankle movements and short walks may also help, provided they are comfortable and consistent with your maternity team’s advice. [2]
Match exercises to your symptoms
Gentle calf stretches and foot exercises may help some types of discomfort. The right exercises depend on the cause of your pain and your stage of pregnancy. Avoid pushing through painful movements, and follow any activity restrictions from your maternity team. [1]
How can a podiatrist help during pregnancy?
A podiatry assessment considers more than whether your arches look flat. Useful questions include where the pain occurs, when it started, what makes it worse and whether it is changing how you walk.
At Podiatry Care Gawler, an assessment can include your footwear, walking pattern, foot posture and ankle movement. Bring the shoes you wear most often, and let your podiatrist know how far along you are and any advice from your maternity team.
Depending on the findings, management may include footwear changes, adjustments to daily activities, suitable exercises or shoe inserts where appropriate. Custom orthotics are not automatically needed because you are pregnant. The aim is to match support to your symptoms and assessment findings. [1] [3]
Will my feet return to their previous size after pregnancy?
Some changes can persist after birth. A small study found that changes in arch height and foot length were still present around 19 weeks after delivery. This does not mean everyone will develop lasting changes or ongoing pain, but it is a reason to reassess shoe fit if your old footwear remains uncomfortable. [7]
Foot and ankle assessment in Gawler
If ongoing heel, arch or ankle pain is making everyday walking uncomfortable, our podiatrists can assess your symptoms and discuss suitable management options.
This article provides general information and does not replace individual advice from your podiatrist, doctor or maternity team.
Clinical sources
- NHS Wales: Health in pregnancy — the foot during pregnancy
- NHS: Swollen ankles, feet and fingers in pregnancy
- NHS: Plantar fasciitis
- RCOG: Diagnosis and treatment of venous thrombosis in pregnancy and after birth
- Pregnancy, Birth and Baby: High blood pressure in pregnancy
- Pregnancy, Birth and Baby: Travel and pregnancy — blood clot warning signs
- Segal and colleagues (2013): Pregnancy leads to lasting changes in foot structure
