Postpartum
Nov 21, 2024
Dr. Ashley Rawlins, PT, DPT
4 min
You've probably heard of "mom butt" — the changes that can occur to your backside after having a baby. But have you heard of "mom feet"?
While many folks expect their bodies to change during pregnancy, few anticipate the lasting impact it can have on their feet. Not only is it common to experience changes in the size and shape of your feet during pregnancy, but these changes can persist postpartum — sometimes permanently — and put you at risk for more aches and pains in your lower legs and feet.
Just like your body adapts to the demands of pregnancy and caring for a new baby, your feet undergo their own transformation. Mom feet refer to the various ways your feet can change during and after pregnancy. These changes can lead to discomfort and pain that may linger well into the postpartum period. If this sounds like something you’ve been dealing with, keep reading to better understand why you are having pain, common conditions that could be causing your symptoms, and what you can do to find relief and prevent future issues.
To understand why postpartum foot pain occurs, let's first look at how pregnancy affects your feet.
Your feet change in pregnancy for several reasons, for example:
As a result, the arches of your feet can flatten and rotate inward a bit — this is also known as pronation. In other words, your feet can become flatter, longer, and change their size and shape. While there are many pregnancy changes that will gradually adjust back after having your baby, the changes in your foot’s structure can be permanent.
These pregnancy-related changes can lead to postpartum mechanical foot pain, a common pain that many new parents may find themselves dealing with.
Mechanical foot pain is a general term used to describe foot pain that comes from the joints and/or soft tissues in your feet. It’s associated with putting pressure on your feet or moving around on your feet.
It can affect various parts of your foot, including the heel, arch, ball, and toes. It can be caused by things like plantar fasciitis, bunions, and stress fractures.
The location of the pain often provides clues about its underlying cause. For example, heel pain is frequently associated with plantar fasciitis, while pain in the ball of the foot may indicate metatarsalgia.
Anyone can get mechanical foot pain, but like most musculoskeletal pain conditions, it’s more common in women and those assigned female at birth. The development of mechanical foot pain is also more common in pregnancy because of the changes mentioned above. So, how about foot pain in the postpartum?
If you don’t have a specific injury to blame, postpartum foot pain can feel like a bit of a mystery.
While researchers haven’t yet established a direct link between foot pain and being postpartum, a study from 1996 found that 31% of women experienced new-onset foot pain in the postpartum period, making them more than twice as likely to develop pain compared to women who hadn’t been pregnant.
There are likely a few factors to consider:
Postpartum foot pain can manifest in various ways. Here are some common causes of foot pain.
This condition involves chronic irritation of the plantar fascia, a thick band of tissue that runs along the bottom of your foot. Symptoms include sharp heel pain, especially when taking your first steps in the morning. Flat feet and excessive pronation are a risk factor for plantar fasciitis.
This is pain felt in the ball of your foot that can be caused by various things like a bunion or Morton’s neuroma. Often, changes in your foot structure, and tight fitting shoes can lead to metatarsalgias.
Also known as flat feet, if you develop pes planus in pregnancy and it sticks around in the postpartum, your arches are not able to do their job. This can lead to pain in your feet, ankles, knees, and even the lower back.
The combination of swollen feet and tight shoes can increase your risk of ingrown toenails, which can be particularly painful.
Fortunately, there are plenty of treatment options available for postpartum foot pain. The best treatment will depend on your specific symptoms, but here are some general treatment approaches:
While foot discomfort and pain is common postpartum, pain that is persistent or severe, or includes numbness and tingling in your feet, is important to check in with your healthcare providers to get some answers.
Sometimes, pain and swelling in your lower legs is a sign of a more serious condition like deep vein thrombosis. Get medical attention right away if in addition to foot pain you notice:
While treatment is important, prevention is even better. Here are some strategies to minimize the risk of developing postpartum foot pain.
Start during pregnancy:
In the postpartum, take care of your feet with these strategies:
If you're experiencing persistent foot pain after giving birth, don't wait to get the support you need. The expert physical therapists at Origin are here to help you understand the root cause of your discomfort and develop a personalized treatment plan. Whether you prefer an in-person visit or the convenience of a virtual consultation, Origin offers both options to fit your busy schedule.
Take the first step towards pain-free mom feet and a more comfortable postpartum experience. Schedule an evaluation with Origin Physical Therapy today. Your feet have carried you through pregnancy and beyond — now it's time to give them the care they deserve.