Mums have claimed for years that their feet have grown along with their tummies during pregnancy, and now, scientific evidence seems to back them up!
Researchers have found that carrying extra weight and the increased looseness of the joints associated with pregnancy leaves up to 70 per cent of mums-to-be at risk of pes planus – flattened and widened feet.
The US study found that as a woman's arches drop (predominately in first pregnancies) the foot length then increases between 2mm and 10mm.
Prof Neil Segal of the University of Iowa said that scientists already knew that women who had gone through pregnancy are 'disproportionately affected by musculoskeletal disorders'.
"It is possible that these foot changes, which occur in pregnancy, may help explain why, in comparison with men, women are at higher risk for pain or arthritis in their feet, knees, hips, and spines," he told the Metro.
Some mums-to-be can see their feet grow by an entire shoe size during pregnancy, and, unlucky for some shoe collections, the change can be permanent.
Did your feet grow during pregnancy?
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