Is Being on Your Feet All Day During Pregnancy Safe?
Most of us would love to spend the nine long months of pregnancy with our feet up on the couch, but let’s be real: life goes on—even when you’re growing a human. Moreover, some pregnant women work jobs that require them to be on their feet all day (think: teachers, servers, hair stylists, etc.) This can take a toll on your body and your health, says Kecia Gaither, MD, an ob-gyn at NYC Health + Hospitals/Lincoln in the Bronx, New York.
“Being on my feet all day as a nurse in the ICU made me exhausted on a whole other level,” says Moira S., mom of three in Kansas. “By the time I got home, I was so tired I’d skip dinner and go straight to bed.”
While it’s not dangerous, per se, to be on your feet all day when you’re pregnant, it’s important to listen to your body and recognize when it’s telling you it needs a break. Here’s what to know about how standing and walking for long hours can affect your pregnant body, plus tips to get you tired feet and back some relief.
It can be—but it can also not be. It really depends on your health. Being on your feet for long durations during pregnancy isn’t inherently harmful, but it can be hard on your body, especially if you’re further along in your pregnancy or prone to certain problems (like back pain) and other complications.
“The amount of time a pregnant person can safely stand varies based on their individual health, pregnancy stage and overall physical condition,” says Gaither. “For most pregnant women, standing from 30 to 60 minutes [at a time] is considered manageable, but it’s important for you to listen to your body’s signals.”
For many, walking or standing for long stretches makes otherwise common pregnancy symptoms even worse. According to Denise Castellanos, CNM, certified nurse midwife and nurse practitioner at MemorialCare Saddleback Medical Center’s Women’s Health Pavilion in Laguna Hills, California, swelling in the feet and ankles is typical for pregnant women who are on their feet all day. Pregnancy causes extra fluid volume and reduced circulation, and these are exacerbated when you’re standing or walking for extended periods.
Chaunie B., mom of five in Michigan, worked as a night-shift hospital nurse during four of her pregnancies—and suffered through each one. “Being on my feet for 12 to 13 hours at a time while pregnant was honestly terrible,” she says. “It definitely made my pregnancies more difficult, especially the fourth one, when my sciatica got really bad. I also dealt with severely swollen legs and feet.”
It’s not necessarily all bad news, though. Being active can help prepare your body for labor and delivery, as well as the postpartum period.
If you have a job that requires you to spend long hours standing or walking, it’s important to tune into your body and pay attention to any signs telling you it’s time to get off your feet. Gaither says pain or discomfort in your legs or back, swelling, fatigue and lightheadedness are all clues you should sit down, take a break and elevate your feet, if possible.
Ignoring these warning signs won’t only make you feel extra crummy, it might increase your risk of health complications. Walking and standing for long hours during pregnancy makes you more prone to fainting, adds Gaither, which increases your risk of injury. Pushing through pain isn’t a great idea either; pregnant women are more susceptible to muscle strains and have more limited treatment options because medications like NSAIDs (ibuprofen and aspirin) aren’t typically recommended.
Spending long days walking or standing during pregnancy can lead to unfavorable fetal outcomes as well, like decreased fetal growth and increased risk of preterm delivery, notes Gaither. Several studies show that pregnant women who stand for more than a few hours at a time per day, do frequent lifting or bending throughout the day and work more than 50 hours per week are more likely to have preterm deliveries and/or babies that are small for gestational age.
Some symptoms warrant a call to your healthcare provider, particularly if you’ve been on your feet recently and home remedies like rest and hydration aren’t helping. Castellanos says you should contact your provider ASAP if you:
Notice a sudden increase in swelling See that one or both of your lower legs are red and feel painful Have a severe headache or migraine, visual disturbances and/or epigastric pain (pain underneath the breast area)
These are signs of potential pregnancy complications such as blood clots and preeclampsia, which require immediate medical attention.
Although being on your feet all day while pregnant isn’t ideal, sometimes it’s unavoidable (you can’t necessarily quit your active job because you’re pregnant). According to Castellanos, there are some strategies that can be used to help you get relief when you’re off-duty.
- Elevate your feet above heart level frequently throughout the day.
- Put compression socks on first thing in the morning to help improve circulation.
- Stay hydrated and limit your sodium intake to decrease fluid retention.
- Wear supportive, ergonomic shoes.
- Avoid standing in place for long periods.
- Wear a maternity band to support your growing belly and reduce stress on ligaments.
- Invest in a maternity bra for added comfort and posture support.
- Sleep on your left side to promote healthier circulation from the lower body to the heart.
- Practice pregnancy stretching exercises, either through group classes or individual sessions at home.
- Be mindful of your nutrition and try to gain weight steadily.
Walking and standing for long periods of time during pregnancy is challenging and can take a toll on your changing body, but it may be unavoidable for people with certain active jobs. It’s important to listen to your body and monitor yourself for signs of distress, take frequent breaks and wear supportive garments to alleviate some of the strain on your body.
Please note: The Bump and the materials and information it contains are not intended to, and do not constitute, medical or other health advice or diagnosis and should not be used as such. You should always consult with a qualified physician or health professional about your specific circumstances.
Plus, more from The Bump:
Denise Castellanos, CNM, is a certified nurse midwife and nurse practitioner at MemorialCare Saddleback Medical Center’s Women’s Health Pavilion in Laguna Hills, California.
Kecia Gaither, MD, is an ob-gyn at NYC Health + Hospitals/Lincoln in the Bronx, New York.
Medicina, The main changes in pregnancy—therapeutic approach to musculoskeletal pain, 2022
American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology, The impact of occupational activities during pregnancy on pregnancy outcomes: a systematic review and metaanalysis, 2020
Seminars in perinatology, Environmental factors implicated in the causation of adverse pregnancy outcome, 2007
Preeclampsia Foundation, Signs and Symptoms
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