Crofton Office

1657 Crofton Blvd, Suite 201

Crofton, MD 21114

(410) 721-4505

(410) 721-2394

Woodbridge Office

14010 Smoketown Rd., Suite 103

Woodbridge, VA 22192

(703) 583-5959

(703) 890-4970

Chantilly Office

3914 Centreville Road, Suite 200

Chantilly, VA 20151

(703) 490-5599

(703) 583-5995

Sterling Office

46440 Benedict Dr., Suite 111

Sterling, VA 20164

(703) 444-9555

Exercising with Pregnancy Feet

With pregnancy comes a lot of DOs and DON’Ts. DO take prenatal vitamins! DON’T eat sushi! DO exercise, but DON’T do too much! What’s a pregnant mama to do?

At Crofton Podiatry, we know that it can get pretty confusing when it comes to maintaining a healthy pregnancy. We’ve collected some tips on what to expect when it comes to “pregnancy feet” as well as exercises you can do to stay active and relieve swelling.

What to Expect for your feet:

  • Pregnant women will most likely see swelling in the lower half of the body. As the body softens to prepare for expansion, it retains more water in the skin and bones. In addition, the growing baby takes up space, reducing the flow rate of blood and fluids back to the upper half of the body. 
  • Don’t be alarmed if your shoes do not fit, especially in the latter half of the day. Wear comfortable shoes during the day, taking breaks to sit and elevate the feet as often as you can.
  • Watch for signs of uneven swelling as this can indicate a clot, which needs immediate medical attention.

Exercises for your “pregnancy feet”:

  • It’s great for your body and your baby if you stay physically active throughout your pregnancy. Do not start or increase the amount you exercise, but if you have been physically active, continue this healthy habit.
  • Take walks – this can help you increase overall body circulation as your leg muscles and heart muscles pump blood and fluids up and around your body.
  • Water aerobics – this is one of the best ways to get full body exercise without the strain of carrying the full amount of the baby’s weight. It will reduce strain on your back as you exercises.
  • Foot exercises – Flex and point the feet, rotate the ankles and do some toe scrunches to get the feet active. You can do this while sitting on a chair, but even better if you can sit on the floor with your legs out in front of you and your hands on the floor behind you to support you.
  • Yoga – There are several poses that are safe to do while you are pregnant. If you are not sure, it’s best to go to a prenatal yoga class to get the benefits of stretching, strengthening, and balance poses to increase circulation and get your heart pumping a bit.
  • Cycling – This is a great low-impact cardiovascular exercise.
  • Dancing – Some mild dance aerobics classes are also good for you, as long as you don’t feel a strain in your legs or back.

We certainly encourage you to stay physically active, but only do what feels comfortable for you. If you notice excessive swelling or have problems in your feet or ankles, make an appointment by calling our office at (410) 721-4505 to consult with our board-certified podiatrist, Dr. Brad Toll at Crofton Podiatry. He can assess your feet and, if necessary, help you with custom orthotics during your pregnancy. Our podiatry team in Crofton, MD serves the surrounding areas of Gambrills, Odenton, and Bowie, MD.

Contact Us

Our Locations

Find us on the map

Office Hours

(We have new hours as below!)

Crofton Podiatry

Monday:

9:00 am-5:00 pm

Tuesday:

9:00 am-5:00 pm

Wednesday:

9:00 am-5:00 pm

Thursday:

7:30 am-3:30 pm

Friday:

By Appointment Only

Saturday:

Closed

Sunday:

Closed