PregnancyCanAffectYour Feet

NewEngland Foot &Ankle, P.C.

Some Facts You Should Know.

visit our Website at:www.nefootankle.com

Our Doctors are on staff at:

• Lowell General Hospital, Lowell

• Lawrence General Hospital, Lawrence

• Holy Family Hospital, Methuen

• Anna Jaques Hospital, Newburyport

New Patients are welcome.Please call for an appointment.

We accept most managed care plans and privateinsurances, Check, Cash and major credit cards

New England Foot & Ankle, P.C. is located in the Courthouseoffice complex on Parkhurst Road behind Wal-Mart. Followthe signs to Gold’s Gym. Our office is in the yellow building(the second building) on the left, just past the mailboxes.

Newburyport Office978-463-0086

260 Merrimac Street(Towle Office Bldg.)

New England Foot & Ankle, P.C. is located on MerrimacStreet, approx 1/2 mile west from downtown Newburyport(towards Amesbury). Parking and entrance at rear ofbuilding. Follow the information sign in the courtyardto the appropriate building entrance.

ChelmsfordOffice978-441-9241

4 Courthouse Lane(Behind Wal-Mart at Drum Hill)

GreenSt

StateSt

Downtown

MerrimacRiver

OUR OFFICETowle Office Bldg

2nd Floor(Enter Lobby at rear)

Merrimac St.

Rte 1, Downtown Exit

To Boston

To Amesbury

Rte 1

ParkHere

BRIDGE

Rte 4

Rte 3 from I-495 Rte 3 to Nashua

Westford RoadWestfordSt.

Rte4toNoChelm

sfordParkhurst Rd

Burger King

McDonald’s

Stop lights

DunkinDonuts

EnterpriseBank

McCarthyMiddle School

Wal-Mart/ Hannafords

HealthClub

DrumHill

Exit 32

Our OfficePark &

Enter Here

Salvatore’s Restaurant

OUR OFFICE

Pentucket Medical Assoc

Exit 44 bridges & ramps

South Union Street also connectswith I-495 at Exit 41

I-495 North

Parking

BRID

GE

.4 miles to Union St.

ramp

ramp

Merrimack St.Enter Here

MERRIMAC RIVER

LawrenceOffice978-552-3194

360 Merrimack Street, Building 5(Riverwalk Complex)

11/2013

Dr. Timothy Downs

Dr. Caroline Gauthier

Dr. Matthew Riordan

Dr. Patricia Kim

visit our Website at:www.nefootankle.com

Pregnancy and Your Feet

While the joys of motherhood may be oneof life’s most precious gifts, expectant mothershave to endure the rigors of pregnancy beforethey can experience baby bliss. As a woman’swaistline expands, healthy weight gain duringpregnancy can alter one’s center of gravity.This new posture, coupled with weight gain,can create pressure on the knees, legs and feet.

Some of the most common foot and legconditions affecting pregnant women areswollen feet, overpronation (commonlycalled flatfeet), heel pain/ plantar fasciitis, andcramps in the legs and feet. An obstetrician orgynecologist should consider making a referralto a podiatrist for specialized treatment of theseconditions. You will find in this brochure that it’simportant not only to understand aboutthese conditions but also what options existfor preventative measures and treatment.

Swollen Feet

Pregnancy causes excess fluid collection, callededema, in the foot tissue. This is due as a resultof extra blood accumulation in the lower extrem-ities (due to weight and position of the fetusin the womb), usually during the third trimesterof pregnancy. The enlarging uterus puts pressureon the blood vessels in the pelvis and legs caus-ing circulation to slow down, as well as causingblood pooling in the lower extremities(swellingin the lower legs and feet), and varicose veins.

Prevention and Treatment

• Try waist-high maternity support stockings.Put them on before you get out of bedin the morning so blood doesn't have achance to pool around your ankles.

• Put your feet up whenever possible.

• Uncross your legs or ankles while sitting.

• Stretch your legs frequently while sitting.

• Wear comfortable shoes.

• Wear arch supports.

• Measure feet periodically and adjustshoe size as necessary, because feetcan lengthen and widen.

Overpronation/Flatfeet/Increased Foot Size

A pregnant woman can experience flatteningout of her arches (pronation) due to body weightand hormonal changes. The same hormonesreleased during pregnancy that increase theflexibility of the birth canal also have an effecton the feet. The hormones cause looseningof the ligaments of the foot that leads to anincrease in foot size and decrease in arch height.It’s important to treat over-pronation to providepain relief but also to prevent other foot condi-tions from developing such as heel pain/plantarfasciitis, pain in the ball of the foot, tendinitis,bunions and hammertoes.

Prevention and Treatment

• Purchase over-the counter or customarch supports in order to preventoverpronation and decreased arch height.

• Choose comfortable footwear that providesextra support and shock absorption suchas Dansko Professional clogs orCrocs RX Cloud.

• If you're looking for a walking or athleticshoe, consider buying a running shoe,which also offers more shock absorption.

• Avoid high heels.

Heel Pain/Plantar Fasciitis

Flattening of the arch can lead to extremestress and inflammation on the plantar fascia, thefibrous band of tissue that runs from the heel tothe forefoot. This causes heel pain and difficultystanding and walking. Many patients may alsodevelop heel spurs.

Prevention and Treatment

• Try over-the-counter shoe inserts.

• Visit a podiatrist for treatment, whichmay include specialized orthotic devices.

• Warm up and stretch properly beforeexercising.

• Exercise and stretch daily.

• Do not walk barefoot.

• Wear shoes that have a strong,supportive arch and firm heel.

Cramps in the Feet and Legs

The increased blood volume duringpregnancy and high hormone levels relax yourblood vessels to prevent high blood pressure.Relaxed and slack vessels can slow down yourcirculation. Furthermore, increased weight inyour pelvis caused by the fetus can compressthe veins and lead to cramps.

Prevention and Treatment

• Drink plenty of water.

• Stretch calves often.

• Wear supportive shoes.

• Eat a healthy balanced diet to make surethere are no vitamin or mineral deficiencies.

• Walk the cramp out.

• Increase circulation by rotating your ankles10 times to the right, then to the left.Switch legs. Repeat 10 times.

In order to prevent pregnancy-relatedfoot pain and problems, make sure tosee a podiatrist at the beginning of yourpregnancy. A foot and ankle specialistwill help you prevent the conditionsmentioned above and will improve thehealth of your feet.