{"id":53150,"date":"2016-12-26T05:53:02","date_gmt":"2016-12-26T13:53:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/heelthatpain.com\/?p=53150"},"modified":"2021-01-29T07:44:55","modified_gmt":"2021-01-29T15:44:55","slug":"pregnancy-heel-pain","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/heelthatpain.com\/pregnancy-heel-pain\/","title":{"rendered":"Pregnancy and Heel Pain"},"content":{"rendered":"[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ admin_label=”section” _builder_version=”3.22″][et_pb_row admin_label=”row” _builder_version=”3.25″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”3.25″ custom_padding=”|||” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text admin_label=”Text” _builder_version=”4.6.0″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” hover_enabled=”0″ use_border_color=”off” border_color=”#ffffff” border_style=”solid” sticky_enabled=”0″]

\"PregnancyPregnancy can be uncomfortable for a lot of reasons. You\u2019re dealing with morning sickness, weight gain, stretch marks, swollen ankles, and intense cravings (read: Big Mac, hold the pickles, add maraschino cherries.)<\/p>\n

And the cherry on top (the one you didn\u2019t request)? Heel pain from plantar fasciitis often develops during pregnancy too.<\/p>\n

The good news is, this particular source of discomfort and pain doesn\u2019t have to haunt your entire pregnancy or postpartum days. In this post, we\u2019ll take a look at the reasons you might be experiencing heel pain during or after pregnancy, how to differentiate plantar fasciitis from normal aches and pains, and ways you can reduce or eliminate the pain of plantar fasciitis during pregnancy<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The Connection Between Pregnancy and Heel Pain<\/h2>\n

As you gain healthy and necessary weight during your pregnancy, the additional strain on the arches of your feet can cause them to flatten. This, in turn, causes your feet to \u201cpronate\u201d or roll inward as you walk, placing a great deal of strain on your plantar fascia ligament.<\/p>\n

Pregnancy is strongly linked to the development of plantar fasciitis because weight gain is, necessarily, often more dramatic during this process. The new, rapid increase in strain on your arches causes small rips and tears to appear in the plantar fascia, leading to inflammation, pain, and, if left untreated, \u201cheel spurs\u201d (small, sharp calcium deposits that result from damage to the plantar fascia and dig into the fatty pad of your heel).<\/p>\n\"Pregnant\n

Symptoms of Plantar Fasciitis in Pregnancy and Postpartum<\/h2>\n

It\u2019s normal to experience tired feet now and then–after all, you\u2019re carrying a growing passenger! Normal soreness will usually go away within a day or two. It\u2019s also normal to experience some swelling, especially as your pregnancy nears its conclusion.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s important to pay attention to pain that doesn\u2019t subside after a day or so, is worse in the mornings, and is primarily focused on the bottom of your heel. The pain from plantar fasciitis (as opposed to normal aches and pains) will improve somewhat with activity as your ligaments loosen up.<\/p>\n

What Can I Do if I\u2019m Pregnant and My Feet Hurt?<\/h2>\n\"Pregnant\n

Most women anticipate aches and pains throughout pregnancy, but if your feet are aching–especially if your feet hurt but aren\u2019t particularly swollen–it\u2019s important to pay attention to the pain and recognize that plantar fasciitis may be developing.<\/p>\n

If you\u2019re postpartum and still experiencing heel pain, plantar fasciitis is a likely culprit as well. If left untreated, heel spurs will continue to be a source of pain and discomfort long after the baby weight is gone.<\/p>\n

So, what can you do about plantar fasciitis during pregnancy or postpartum? (As with any form of treatment during pregnancy, be sure to consult your doctor for his or her recommendation and continued medical input!)<\/p>\n