Do your feet grow during pregnancy?

Do you notice that your shoes are getting a little bigger as your pregnancy progresses? Swollen feet and ankles are very common – especially in the third trimester – but there is also a chance that your feet will grow during pregnancy.

“I didn’t notice my feet growing, they were just swelling,” says BabyCenter Community member JennyBear15. “But my mom’s feet grow half the size with each pregnancy.”

Why do your feet grow during pregnancy?

There are several reasons why your feet may grow during pregnancy:

• Body weight. As your belly grows and gets heavier during pregnancy, your body puts more pressure on your legs, making them smoother and longer.
• Hormones. A hormone called relaxin relaxes the muscles around the pelvis to prepare your body for childbirth. It relaxes all the nerves in your body, including the ones in your feet, which causes the bones in your feet to spread and grow. It is worth noting that the bones of your feet are not real growth, but the muscles that connect them are not as strong as they used to be, which can cause you to go up half a shoe size – or even a shoe size.

Whatever you do, don’t try to squeeze into your old shoes. Wearing shoes that are too tight can aggravate bunions and cause other painful foot problems, from ingrown toenails to corns and calluses.

See your doctor right away if you notice a sudden increase in swelling in your feet or ankles. It can be a sign of preeclampsia, a serious problem of high blood pressure that should be treated immediately.

When will your feet grow during pregnancy?

You may notice your shoes getting tighter at the beginning of the second trimester, and your feet may continue to grow until the end of your pregnancy.

As the swelling settles after your baby arrives, you may find your feet go back to their original shoe size – or maybe you’ve even gone up a size! The good news: Although you may experience temporary foot swelling during pregnancy, the actual growth of the foot occurs during the first trimester.

Wondering what else your body will do during pregnancy? Download the free BabyCenter appIt will open a new window to see what you’re going through, change your body shape, and get daily, expert-supported advice tailored to your specific area.

Will you still have big feet after pregnancy?

You can. Although the swelling of the foot decreases within a month after delivery, any swelling caused by the relaxation of the nerves is permanent. Another study foundIt will open a new window that most women saw their foot length increase anywhere between 2 and 10 millimeters. (One shoe size is about 10 mm.)

“Mine never came back,” says Community member Cheeselover612. “My husband jokes that I’ll have manly feet when we’re done [having kids].”

Are there ways to prevent your feet from growing during pregnancy?

You can’t prevent your feet from getting bigger during pregnancy, but there are ways to prevent swelling:

• Try not to stand for long periods of time – take breaks and sit down when you can.
• Wear comfortable shoes that don’t pinch or have tight straps. Look for shoes that have a low heel and provide good arch support.
• When you are sitting, raise your feet so that water does not accumulate in your lower legs. (Propping them up on a pillow works well.)
• Drink plenty of water, which helps your body get rid of excess water that causes inflammation.
• Increase blood flow to your feet by doing ankle exercises while resting.
• Wear compression socks or stockings, which will help move excess water from your feet and back into your veins.