Homemade Foot Soak Recipe for Pregnancy

Opinions expressed by The Spoiled Mama Contributors are their own.

Pregnancy is a time of great happiness and great anticipation. Many women love being pregnant. At the same time, pregnancy can also put stresses and strains on a woman's body. Most expecting mammas may find it challenging to move about their day. When you are expecting many areas of your body are affected and changing. As your pregnancy continues, each part of your body may feel the effects as you prepare to give birth. Now is the time to focus more on your baby's health and your well-being. An expecting mama deserves to be spoiled.

One of your body parts most affected by the pregnancy is your feet. It is common for pregnant ladies to have a swollen foot and ankle pain (also known as edema) from the very first month. Yes, being pregnant is not always easy, the good news is: there are ways to ease you up into motherhood. Let's start with those pretty toes.

Your Feet During Pregnancy

Caring for yourself during pregnancy may start with your feet. As a busy mom to be, you need to make sure your feet are in great shape during all three trimesters. Whether you are waiting for your plane to take off, watching your other children or just walking in the park, you need to make sure your feet stay comfortable. This is why paying careful attention to your feet as your pregnancy continues is important. Proper attention to your feet can help you stay active and be more comfortable as your due date draws closer.

A Good Soaking

Soaking your tired legs and feet is a great way to relax and pamper yourself. By placing your feet in a warm water mixed with Epsom salt, this concoction helps reduce any excess accumulation of fluid. A good soaking also helps you let go of tension and stress. Heading to a spa for extra help is a wonderful idea. However, many busy women don't always have the time to simply drop everything and rush out to the spa. In that case, it's easier than ever to make your own foot soak at home. All you need is a few common household ingredients and you can soothe those swollen ankles and feet as often as you want.

Here’s a Homemade Foot Soak Recipe for You to Try!

Simple Ingredients for A Homemade Foot Soak

In order to make a foot soak, there are several ingredients you'll want to have on hand.

1¼ cups of Epsom salt, it helps to sooth the feet. When placed in water, the salts later break down into two components: magnesium and sulfate. These components are known to have useful properties that help your aching feet feel better.
1¼ cups of kosher salt, Himalayan salts can also be used in place of kosher salt as they help to stimulate circulation.
¼ cups of baking soda, some women find baking powder as good or even better than baking soda.
¼ cups of cornstarch and a bag to keep the mixture where you can easily find it.
(Optional) 1 teaspoon of essential oil. If you plan on using essential oils, do your research first, as some may be hazardous during pregnancy. Some ladies love the smell of lavender oil while others appreciate the refreshing scent of lemon oil. Peppermint and spearmint are also ideal as they help make the soaking experience even more enjoyable.

How to Make A Foot Soothing Foot Soak

Once you’ve gathered all of your ingredients, prepare a bowl or pail with warm water large enough to accommodate both of your feet.
Combine Epsom salts with kosher salt into the bowl or pail.
Add your preferred essential oil. Any oils should be used sparingly for maximum effect.
Place the rest of ingredients into the pail.
Mix the ingredients gradually into the water. Then let sit for about 10 minutes. Afterward, you can throw away the mixture.

Bonus Tips:

Make sure you keep the oils at room temperature before using them. Heated oils or old oils will not mix properly with the other ingredients.
In the winter, you can add hotter water to help increase blood flow and reduce the cold. During the summer, use tepid water rather than cold water.

The Benefits

Using a foot soak is an excellent way to reduce the foot swelling that is common during many pregnancies. Taking some time each day to devote to your personal care is an excellent idea that lets you prepare for becoming a new mom.

*Consult first with your physician before using the ingredients.

Do you have your own homemade foot soak recipe? Please share with the rest of us!

Contributor Bio:

Jesse Miller: since 17 years old I was a full time Nanny. Being overly maternal, even from a young age, I landed my dream job. I played mother to children and got paid for it. This went on for a few different families before I met my husband, 14 years later. I now play mother to my own children and am looking forward to providing guidance across their whole lives, not just the early years with Parent.Guide. After accumulating a wealth of knowledge from my many years of nannying I created this blog to share my expertise with other mothers. Love, Jess