It was a typical Tuesday. I woke up around 7 AM, made a cup of tea, took my supplements, and made my way to my home office. Before getting ready for the day, I did a quick yoga flow and sat down for my daily journaling. As I mapped out my day and jotted down ideas for my next blog post, it hit me: my period, typically right on schedule, was a few days late.
While I didn’t think too much of it, I’d felt more tired than normal and had a dramatic visceral reaction to a dish served at my friend’s bridal shower. So, I rummaged through the cabinet under my kitchen sink for a pregnancy test my partner had picked up a few months back and opened it. Little did I know that in a few short minutes, my life would forever be changed in the most beautiful way.
I write this as my little guy sleeps soundly in the room next to me, and I wouldn’t change a thing on the journey to his entry into the world. But, yikes, I wasn’t prepared for the foot pain that comes with pregnancy. I had heard about all the other aches and pains associated with growing a child but assumed that foot pain was relegated to the last month or so of pregnancy, not the entire time. Thankfully, I found a few things to help soothe my achy feet as they swelled with the excess fluid buildup.
1. Find Yourself A Good Pair Of Pregnancy Shoes.
The first thing on your list for your maternity wardrobe is finding a practical pair of pregnancy shoes. Honestly, I had no idea they made specific shoes for pregnant women, but wow, I love whoever invented them. I was able to wear the ones I purchased throughout my entire pregnancy.
They were easy to slip in and out of, which was extremely welcome toward the third trimester when bending down to squeeze my foot into a shoe became an Olympic-level event. They were surprisingly cute for offering the level of comfort and support they did, and although my son is six-months-old now, they’re still my go-to shoe for running errands. The shoes were also a lifesaver in those few weeks after leaving the hospital when my belly was extra sensitive and bending down was still painful.
2. Rest And Elevate Your Feet As Often As Possible.
I know it’s easier said than done, especially if you work full time, have kids, or are the primary caretaker for family members, but make sure you carve out time to rest throughout your pregnancy. The build-up of fluid in your feet is caused by your body retaining more water than usual. The position that your growing womb sits in your abdomen presses on your insides which also causes swelling in your legs and feet.
That’s why rest is so crucial to your comfort. The more time you spend on your feet, the worse the swelling can get. Try to take breaks throughout the day, and put your feet up. The elevation helps relieve the pressure caused by swelling.
3. Drink Lots Of Water.
Staying hydrated is essential to your health, regardless of whether you’re pregnant. You retain water during pregnancy, and while it may seem counterintuitive to add more water to your body, drinking eight to ten glasses of water every day helps flush your system and keep you hydrated. Being adequately hydrated makes it so your body doesn’t hold as much water.
4. Incorporate A Light Exercise Routine Into Your Weekly Schedule.
Throughout my entire pregnancy, I stuck to my daily yoga practice. You wouldn’t find me at my local hot yoga studio doing crunches and inversions, but I did continue light pregnancy-safe flows. For example, when my feet were at their worst pain level, this yoga pose helped so much. It involved laying on my back with my legs raised against the wall. In doing so, I could relieve the pressure of my uterus from the vein that brings blood from my lower body to my heart.
5. Cut Back On Salt But Increase Savory Herbs.
I know. If you’re like me and your pregnancy cravings consist of a steady diet of big macs and egg rolls, this one is hard to swallow. But remember how I said your body retains water during pregnancy? Salt forces your body to hold onto extra water, and consuming a lot of processed foods can make that worse. Instead, try replacing salt with rosemary, thyme, or oregano. While the herbs don’t have the same flavor profile as table salt, they do add flavor to whatever you’re cooking without adding sodium to your diet.
In Conclusion: You Got This!
The aches and pains of pregnancy can be a struggle, but they’re only temporary. These next nine months (or however long you have left in your pregnancy) will be a time you’ll never forget, and they fly right by. Soon, you’ll be chasing after your little one as they discover the world for the first time. And hey, you might even be wearing your pregnancy shoes while you do!
