Podiatrist examining pregnant woman feet

Open Mon–Sat 4.9 on Google

Pre & Post Pregnancy Podiatry

Supporting your feet and lower limbs through the physical changes of pregnancy and helping you recover safely afterwards.

Book Appointment Call 1300 332 201

Open Mon–SatHICAPS AvailableNo Referral RequiredAHPRA-Registered Clinicians3 Melbourne Locations15+ Years Experience

Pregnancy places significant demands on your body, and your feet and lower limbs are no exception. Increased body weight, hormonal changes and shifting posture all affect how your feet function. Many women experience foot pain, swelling or instability during pregnancy that they have never dealt with before.

Our podiatrists help women manage these changes during pregnancy and retrain their movement patterns after birth. Whether you need relief from prenatal foot pain or a safe plan to return to exercise postnatally, we provide practical, evidence-based care.

Prenatal Foot Care

During pregnancy, your feet cope with increased pressures, decreased stability and hormonal changes that affect joint laxity. Understanding these changes and taking simple steps to manage them can make a real difference to your comfort.

How Pregnancy Affects Your Feet

As your body weight increases and your centre of gravity shifts, the load through your feet changes. Hormones such as relaxin loosen ligaments throughout the body, including in the feet, which can lead to arch collapse, increased foot size and reduced stability.

Common Prenatal Foot Problems

Swollen feet and ankles, arch pain, heel pain, and general foot fatigue are common during pregnancy. Some women also experience cramping in the calves and feet, particularly in the later stages.

Practical Tips for Managing Foot Pain

Avoid prolonged standing where possible. Massage your feet regularly and raise your legs when resting. Wear supportive, well-fitting footwear and avoid thongs and high heels. A tailored stretching program can also help manage tightness and discomfort.

How We Help During Pregnancy

We can assist with soft supportive insoles to ease arch and heel pain, lower limb massage to reduce tightness and swelling, and safe strengthening exercises appropriate for each stage of pregnancy. All treatment is adapted to your comfort and trimester.

Postnatal Recovery

After birth, your body does not simply return to its pre-pregnancy state. Hormonal effects on your ligaments persist for months, and the disconnect between your body and its normal movement patterns can take time to resolve.

Ligamentous Laxity After Birth

The hormones progesterone and relaxin remain elevated after delivery, continuing to affect ligament tension throughout the body. This laxity can lead to hypermobility in the foot and ankle, reducing the stability you need for walking, running and exercise.

Muscle Activation and Control

Hypermobility from hormonal changes often leads to poor muscle activation in the foot, ankle, leg and pelvis. Muscles that were underworking during pregnancy may not simply switch back on. Targeted retraining is needed to restore proper activation patterns.

Retraining Movement Patterns

Pregnancy changes the way you move, from your gait to how you distribute weight. After birth, it is important to retrain these patterns rather than assuming they will correct themselves. We work with you to rebuild strength and coordination from the ground up.

Safe Return to Exercise

Getting back to exercise after pregnancy requires a graduated approach. Returning too quickly or without addressing underlying weaknesses can lead to injury, pain and setbacks.

When to Start

The timeline for returning to exercise varies for every woman. We assess your readiness based on your recovery, pelvic floor status, joint stability and overall strength. There is no single answer that works for everyone.

Building Back Gradually

We create return-to-exercise programs that progress at a pace suited to your body. This starts with low-impact movement and targeted strengthening, then gradually increases intensity as your body demonstrates it is ready for more.

Footwear and Support

Your feet may have changed during pregnancy, and shoes that fit before may not fit or support you the same way now. We assess your current foot posture and recommend appropriate footwear and orthotics if needed.

Why Choose MSP?

We combine clinical expertise with a patient-centered approach to get you back on your feet.

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Sports-Focused

Decades of combined experience treating foot, ankle, and movement concerns.

Evidence-Based Plan

Every plan is guided by proven research and tailored to your lifestyle.

Preventive Approach

We focus on identifying risks early to keep you moving comfortably.

Convenient Clinic Locations

Easily accessible clinics in Brighton, Richmond, and South Melbourne.

Collaborative Care

We work with your GP, physio, or coach for consistent recovery support.

Easy HICAPS Claims

Simple, instant health-fund claiming at every appointment.

Frequently Asked Questions

You can see a podiatrist at any stage of pregnancy. If you are experiencing foot pain, swelling or discomfort, earlier is better. We can also provide preventive advice in the first trimester to help you manage changes as they occur.

Yes. All of our treatments during pregnancy are safe and adapted to your stage and comfort level. We use gentle techniques and avoid any interventions that are not appropriate during pregnancy.

This depends on your delivery and recovery. As a general guide, gentle movement can often begin within a few weeks, but higher-impact exercise like running typically requires clearance at around 12 weeks postpartum. We assess your readiness individually.

Some women find that their feet remain slightly larger or wider after pregnancy due to arch changes during the hormonal period. This is common and not harmful, but it may mean your pre-pregnancy shoes no longer fit well. We can advise on appropriate footwear.

Our Clinics

Three convenient locations across Melbourne. Choose the clinic closest to you.

Call: 1300 332 201