Credits: Nikolay Litov/ Shutterstock

Foot Soaks for Swollen Feet During Pregnancy

by Gabriella Anaya | February 15, 2019

Swollen feet during pregnancy is a side effect that many women face, especially during the third trimester of pregnancy. Swollen feet happen because there is an excess of fluid in your body during pregnancy which ends up going to your feet and ankles, causing them to swell. There are many different ways to combat swollen feet, but what about a more immediate response to relieve the swelling? Here’s how you can find relief from swollen feet during pregnancy using these DIY foot soaks.

Foot Soaks for Swollen Feet During Pregnancy

If you have the opportunity to go to a nail salon that offers Epsom foot soaks, lucky you because they usually include nice foot massages! If not, having a nice and relaxing Epsom foot soak at home is so easy, you’ll regret not doing it earlier.

Epsom salt, which is the mineral magnesium sulfate, has health benefits including providing magnesium to the body (which many people are actually lacking), reduction of muscle soreness, and reduction of swelling. It can be ingested orally for certain benefits, but for our purposes, it will only be used dissolved into the water for foot soaking. Although science hasn’t yet fully backed-up the idea that the magnesium can soak in through the skin and into the body to provide certain benefits, it is true that doing soaks can provide relief when it comes to swollen body parts.

You will need a few items before you are ready to do your at home Epsom salt foot soak. You need either a foot basin or access to a tub, Epsom salt, and a pregnancy-safe essential oil of your choice. Starting in the second trimester when your baby has begun to further develop, using most essential oils is safe so don’t be afraid to add a couple of drops of lavender or chamomile to your foot soak to help you further relax because momma, you deserve it. You can either sit in a comfy chair watching some Netflix with a foot basin or you can light a couple of candles and relax inside your tub to do your foot soak. With warm water, add your desired amount of Epsom salt in and let dissolve. Once dissolved, put your swollen feet in and relax for 20 minutes. Finish by rinsing your feet off with clean water and letting them air dry.

How else do you combat swollen feet during pregnancy? Let me know in the comments below.