So you’re having a baby! That’s great news, but I bet you didn’t know that often pregnancy with bunions is one of the perks- or, if you already have bunions, pregnancy could aggravate those little bundles of not-so-much-joy even more then daily life did prior to getting pregnant. Sorry to bust your bubble, but it’s true!
If you’re pregnant and think you might just be developing a bunion, there are a few symptoms to keep an eye out for: Do you spot a bump on the inside of your foot? Does it hit right where the innermost foot bone hits your big toe? Well, though it might look like a bone growth or deformity, don’t worry. It’s probably just a bunion.
But for some, “just a bunion” doesn’t quite cover their ailments. Bunions can be uncomfortable – even painful at times. They can limit your physical activity (which pregnancy already does anyway) and your selection of viable shoes.
As unfortunate as this all sounds, you’re not alone! Even stars like Victoria Beckham developed painful bunion problems during her latest pregnancy. Between the added weight, swelling and pressure on the feet – not to mention the hormones that enhance loose ligaments – it all adds up to more foot strain. It’s also not uncommon to experience increased over-pronation, edema and/or flattened arches during or after pregnancy.
The best advice any foot expert would give is to be easy on your feet. Wear shoes with a full or widened foot bed and elevate those puppies to alleviate some of the swelling. (Certainly the sky-high stilettos Victoria Beckham wears couldn’t have helped her with those issues.)
The New York Daily Times published some statistics on 1,000 pregnant women surveyed to find out more about their shoe selection during pregnancy. 70 percent of those surveyed suffered from swelling of the feet, heels and ankles, which isn’t surprising considering the fact that 32 percent of them also admitted to staying loyal to their high heels during their pregnancy. Additionally, out of the 1,000 women surveyed, 30 percent found comfort in their UGGS, 53 percent at some point went with ballet pumps, and 66 percent spent considerable time in their flip-flops.
And bunions aren’t the only foot condition for which pregnancy might put you at risk. The extra weight of pregnancy can wreak havoc on your posture, back and knees if you insist on wearing your best pair of 4-inch heels while you paint the nursery.
If you’re expecting a baby, it’s important to know what else to expect – and, unfortunately, a bunion might fall into that category. And while coping with a bunion might put a bit of a damper on your pregnancy plans, as long as you are mindful about your shoe choices and the amount of time you spend on your feet, you should be fine!
And maybe while you’re figuring out the ideal bunion-coping footwear, you might consider Bunion Bootie. Thanks to its thin, flexible fabric, Bunion Bootie will slip on discreetly beneath any shoe you choose (even if you decide to take a day off from those comfort shoes and opt for a pretty pair of pregnancy pumps).