The article explains that pregnancy can permanently alter a person’s feet, often leading to wider, longer feet, changes in arches, gait differences, swelling, and sometimes a lasting increase by half to one or two shoe sizes.

Dr. Milica notes that as weight shifts forward during pregnancy, the foot arch can flatten under load, causing the footstep pressure to shift from the ball of the foot toward the edges — which can change gait mechanics and stability. Learn about structural foot changes during pregnancy which may have long-term implications for foot health, balance, and shoe needs.