The Ultimate Guide to Foot Pain During Pregnancy: Survey Insights, Causes, and Ways To Find Relief
There’s a lot to prepare for during pregnancy, but achy feet probably aren’t at the top of the list. Still, foot pain is incredibly common during pregnancy. Recent research found that 74% of women experience foot pain during pregnancy.
That pain can make everyday moments feel a whole lot harder, from getting through the workday to taking a walk or simply staying on your feet. That’s why KURU surveyed 500 pregnant women to learn more about how foot pain shows up during pregnancy and how it affects daily life.
Let’s take a closer look at what the survey revealed, what may be behind pregnancy-related foot pain, and practical ways to give your feet the support and relief they deserve.
Common Foot and Leg Conditions During Pregnancy
As your body changes to make room for the baby, your feet are doing some adapting of their own. Added weight, a shifting center of gravity, swelling, and hormonal changes that increase ligament flexibility can all change the way you stand and walk, putting new pressure on your feet and ankles.
And while foot pain can show up at any point, most women in our survey said theirs began during the second trimester. As pregnancy progresses and your body continues to change, that extra stress can contribute to everything from sore heels to achy legs.
A few common conditions can be behind that discomfort:
Plantar Fasciitis
Plantar fasciitis affects the thick band of tissue that runs along the bottom of your foot and supports your arch. When that tissue is placed under too much stress, it can become irritated and cause heel or arch pain, often after getting out of bed or standing up after sitting for a while. Pregnancy-related changes in weight and foot biomechanics can put even more demand on this hard-working part of your foot.
Tendonitis
Tendons connect your muscles to your bones, and when they’re overworked or irritated, every step can start to feel like work. Changes in weight, posture, balance, and walking patterns during pregnancy can put added stress on the tendons around your feet and ankles, including the Achilles tendon.
Varicose Veins
Varicose veins are enlarged, twisted veins that often appear in the legs and can leave them feeling achy, heavy, swollen, or throbbing. They can become more common during pregnancy as blood volume increases and hormonal changes affect the veins. More blood to move, plus more pressure on the lower body, can make circulation a little tougher on your legs and feet.
Preventing and Relieving Foot Pain During Pregnancy
When pregnancy puts extra pressure on your feet, a few simple habits may help ease the strain and support happier heels. Here are some ways to give hard-working feet a little extra care.
- Choose supportive shoes. Look for shoes with good arch support and enough room to promote circulation. Supportive footwear can help your feet better handle the added demands of pregnancy.
- Consider orthotic insoles. Orthotics can add support and help distribute weight more evenly across your feet.
- Limit barefoot time. Going barefoot can leave your feet without the extra support they may need, so try to wear supportive footwear when you’re up and moving.
- Put your feet up. If swelling is making your feet ache, elevating them may help provide some relief.
- Stretch and massage your feet. Gentle foot stretches and massage may help soothe tired, achy feet.
- Try a warm foot soak. Soaking your feet in warm water is another simple way some pregnant women find relief from foot discomfort.
- Keep moving gently. Regular light exercise, such as walking, can help promote circulation to your feet.
- Talk to a podiatrist when needed. If foot pain is persistent or concerning, a podiatrist can help you explore relief options that fit your needs.
Inside Our 2026 Pregnancy Foot Pain Survey
To better understand how foot pain affects pregnancy, we surveyed 500 expectant mothers about their experiences. By the third trimester, 86% said they had experienced foot pain, revealing just how common the problem becomes as pregnancy progresses.
Their responses shed light on when pain begins, where it shows up, how severe it can feel, and what women are doing to find relief.
👣 Foot Pain During Pregnancy
- 74% of women experience foot pain during pregnancy.
- For 64%, foot pain begins during the second trimester.
- Half (50%) describe their pain as moderate, while 12% experience severe or debilitating pain.
- 27% say their foot pain lasts a few weeks, while many experience it for several months.
🦶 Where & How Foot Pain Shows Up
The most common types of pregnancy-related foot pain include:
- Swelling and inflammation — 65%
- Cramping — 58%
- Throbbing — 45%
- Tenderness — 40%
- Tingling — 32%
- Heel pain — 30%
The most common areas for pain are the arch (60%), heel (58%), ball of the foot (49%), ankle (47%), and toes (41%).
🚶 Foot Pain Can Affect Everyday Life
- 74% say foot pain has made it harder to walk.
- 48% say it makes exercising more difficult.
- 45% struggle with household tasks.
- 38% say foot pain affects their ability to work.
- 38% say it makes sleeping more difficult.
- 23% struggle to care for children or other family members.
💆 How Women Are Finding Relief
The most common ways women manage pregnancy-related foot pain are:
- Massage — 68%
- Rest — 62%
- Elevating their feet — 56%
- Foot baths — 43%
- Stretching — 33%
- Compression socks — 28%
45% have sought treatment from a medical professional, while another 13% plan to.
🤰 Foot Pain Isn’t the Only Pregnancy Pain
Women also report experiencing:
- Back pain — 70%
- Swollen or tender breasts — 51%
- Headaches — 50%
- Heartburn — 45%
- Leg cramps — 41%
- Pelvic pain — 32%
When Should You Seek Medical Help?
Some foot soreness and swelling can happen during pregnancy, but certain symptoms are worth a call to your healthcare provider. Reach out if your pain is severe, keeps getting worse, or doesn’t improve with simple measures like rest, elevation, and supportive footwear.
Seek prompt medical attention for sudden or one-sided swelling, pain, warmth, or redness in your leg, as these can be signs of a blood clot.
You should also contact your provider if swelling appears suddenly, particularly in your face or hands, or is accompanied by symptoms such as a severe headache, vision changes, or shortness of breath. These can be warning signs of preeclampsia and should be evaluated right away.
When something about your foot or leg pain feels unusual or concerning, your healthcare provider can help determine what’s behind it and the safest way to find relief.
What Are Some Post-Pregnancy Exercises That Can Help Relieve Foot Pain?
Your feet may still need extra care after the baby arrives. Once you’re ready to resume exercise postpartum, gentle stretching and strengthening can help address common sources of heel and arch pain.
- Plantar fascia stretch. Cross one foot over the opposite leg and gently pull your toes toward your shin. This can help stretch the tissue along the bottom of the foot.
- Standing calf stretch. Step one foot behind you, keep your heel down, and lean forward gently to stretch the calf and Achilles tendon.
- Heel raises. Rise slowly onto the balls of your feet, then lower with control. This helps strengthen the calf and foot.
- Towel curls. Place a towel on the floor and use your toes to scrunch it toward you to work the small muscles that support your arch.
- Short-foot exercise. Keeping your foot flat, gently draw the ball of your big toe toward your heel to lift the arch without curling your toes.
Start slowly and stop if anything feels painful. If foot pain persists or worsens, check in with your healthcare provider or a physical therapist.
Methodology and Sources
Methodology
KURU Footwear surveyed 500 expectant mothers in the United States, aged 18 or older, on July 6th 2026.
Sources
- Changes in Foot Biomechanics During Pregnancy: Associations With Plantar Pressure, Low Back Pain and Daily Function in Taiwanese Women. Journal of Foot and Ankle Research (November 2025)
- Mid-Pregnancy Foot Pain: A Widespread, Persistent Burden Demanding Proactive Support. Pollfish (Retrieved July 2026)
- Preeclampsia. Mayo Clinic (April 2022)
- Relief Options for Foot Pain During Pregnancy. Fusion Foot & Ankle (March 2023)
- Testing for Blood Clots in Or After Pregnancy: Information for Patients, Relatives and Carers. Imperial College Healthcare: Obstetric Medicine (September 2025)
About Us
At KURU, we’re on a mission to help you Heel Better™ with footwear technology designed to relieve foot pain, so you can live a life you love. Since launching our innovative technology in 2008, we’ve sold over 3 million pairs and received more than 50,000 five-star reviews from thousands of customers who tell us their KURU shoes helped them with foot pain conditions (such as plantar fasciitis) and got them back to doing what they love.
For all media inquiries, please contact us at pr@kurufootwear.com.