It may seem like every part of you has grown since you got pregnant: your bump , your nose —even your feet. While you’re right to feel like everything’s expanding, this truth brings little comfort when you’re trying on your favorite pair of boots, only to find they no longer fit like they used to. Here, ob-gyns explains why feet grow during pregnancy, and what—if anything—you can do about it.
In this article: Do your feet grow when pregnant? What causes foot growth during pregnancy? Does shoe size change during and after pregnancy? Will you have bigger feet after pregnancy?
Do Your Feet Grow When Pregnant?
As is true with other areas of the body, your feet will most likely grow during pregnancy—often a half to a full shoe size, says Sherry Ross , MD, an ob-gyn, women’s sexual health expert and co-founder of Oneself Intimate Skin Care.
What Causes Foot Growth During Pregnancy?
According to Mahino Talib , MD, an ob-gyn with NYU Langone Health, there are a few reasons you may experience foot growth during pregnancy. Per the experts, these include:
- Pregnancy hormones: The surge in pregnancy hormones—specifically relaxin—can cause loose ligaments in the feet, resulting in a wider and longer foot, says Meleen Chuang , MD, an ob-gyn and medical director of women’s health at the Family Health Centers at NYU Langone. It can also cause joint laxity, which makes it more uncomfortable for them to bear your body’s weight.
- Swelling : Another big cause is swelling, which is a normal pregnancy symptom and can get worse during the third trimester. However, swollen feet and ankles can also result in a larger shoe size during pregnancy, Ross says. Plus, post pregnancy feet swelling can also contribute to a larger shoe size after birth (more on this below).
- Weight gain : Weight gain is a crucial part of pregnancy and supports your developing baby. But the added weight, an enlarged uterus and consequently low back pain can all put more pressure on your feet and cause their size to increase, Ross says. This can also make previously comfortable styles of shoes (like heels) uncomfortable during pregnancy, Talib notes.
Does Shoe Size Change During and After Pregnancy?
As noted, most women notice their shoe size does change during pregnancy and slightly increases. However, it may also change in the postpartum period. “The feet aren’t actually larger,” Talib explains, however, your arches may have flattened due to relaxin, joint laxity and “bearing extra weight for an extended period of time.”
Due to these changes, Chuang recommends wearing comfortable shoes in pregnancy and afterwards. “If you have sciatic pain, avoid flat shoes—it will worsen your pain. Wear comfortable sneakers [instead],” she says. “It’s [also] important to choose comfortable, supportive footwear during and after pregnancy to accommodate any changes in foot size and shape.”
Will You Have Bigger Feet After Pregnancy?
As with so many aspects of pregnancy and postpartum, this will vary from person to person. Some women may find their shoe size goes back to normal a few weeks postpartum, and they can fit into their pre-pregnancy shoes. However, others may find that their increased shoe size persists. “Foot size may not fully return to normal after pregnancy for some women, as changes can be permanent due to the stretching of ligaments, swelling and lower arches,” Chuang explains.
Related VideoNo denying it can be frustrating, but pregnancy does change a lot about your physical self, including your foot and shoe size. It may also change some of your habits and comfort levels: “Some women will prefer to choose more sensible shoes once the beautiful realities of motherhood settle in—opting for comfort every time,” Talib says. Regardless of whether or not this is permanent, remember that this is yet another reminder of the incredible feat your body just pulled off.
