Wearing the wrong shoes during pregnancy can cause morning heel pain, a common condition called plantar fasciitis, due to the changes in the body that a woman goes through during pregnancy. The hormone Relaxin secreted during pregnancy causes the joint ligaments, including feet, to relax. The rapidly increasing body weight during pregnancy can put pressure on the relaxed feet joints resulting in inflammation of the plantar fascia, flat feet, and elongation.
Common Foot Problems During Pregnancy
Many women experience foot problems during pregnancy due to increased weight and pressure on their feet. Here are some common foot problems that pregnant women may face:
- Swelling: Pregnant women often experience swelling in their feet and ankles due to the increased fluid retention in their bodies. This can cause discomfort and make it difficult to find comfortable shoes.
- Arch Pain: As the growing baby’s weight puts pressure on the feet, the arches may flatten, causing pain and discomfort. This can also lead to other issues, such as plantar fasciitis.
- Plantar Fasciitis: Plantar Fasciitis occurs when the plantar fascia, the tissue that runs along the bottom of the foot, becomes inflamed. Pregnant women may be more prone to plantar fasciitis due to weight gain and changes in foot structure.
To prevent and alleviate these foot problems during pregnancy, taking good care of your feet is important. Here are some tips:
- Wear comfortable and supportive shoes with good arch support and cushioning.
- Avoid high heels and shoes with narrow-toe boxes.
- Rest and elevate your feet whenever possible to reduce swelling.
- Stay hydrated to reduce fluid retention.
- Do foot exercises and stretches to improve circulation and strengthen the muscles in your feet.
Taking care of your feet during pregnancy can reduce discomfort and prevent long-term foot problems. Be sure to speak with your doctor if you experience severe or persistent foot pain.
Don’t Let Swollen Feet from Pregnancy Cramp Your Style.
Many women are often amazed at their swollen feet and dismayed that they can’t wear their more stylish footwear. The swelling has its good and bad points. Unfortunately, trendy 4-inch heels designed for women today are not the best shoes for pregnant women. However, you don’t have to swap your style for a pair of clunky orthopedic shoes. Enough popular shoe options offer the support and cushioning you need during such a necessary time in your life.
Recommended Best Shoes for Pregnancy
Here is a short review of the excellent best shoes for pregnant women. Many women want casual shoes that are easy to slip on so that they do not have to bend over. They certainly wish to avoid bothering with laces or closures too. Therefore, it is recommended that pregnant women should invest in well-fitted shoes with excellent arch support, comfort, and grip to avoid slip-overs.
The most important thing a pregnant woman should look for in a shoe is comfort, which We should not overlook for the style. These shoes for pregnant women on our list provide excellent arch support and a lot of cushioning to absorb shock, and some of them are stylish with a slip-resistant outsole.
1. Merrell Women’s Encore Nova Slip-On Shoe
If you are pregnant and tying the shoelaces is becoming hard, these slip-on shoes are for you. These shoes are made of soft leather and provide excellent support and stability. The heel height is perfect and provides the strength you need in pregnancy, but they run narrow. Try them in comprehensive to accommodate swollen feet during pregnancy.
The midsole features Q from technology to align your hip joints correctly, M-Select GRIP outsole for excellent traction, and M-Select FRESH to prevent odors. The inside is lined with breathable mesh to keep your feet dry. The midsole also provides an air cushion in the heel for shock absorption and foot comfort all day. The removable contoured insole allows inserting orthotics for any problem feet, such as flat feet.
These shoes are very comfortable and do not require any break-in period. These shoes suit all weather; we can wear them with any outfit. They are easy to slip on and off. You can replace the removable insoles with orthotics if you need them.
Dansko Clogs
If you need professional-looking shoes for your job, Dansko Penny clogs or any other Dansko style will be the best pregnancy shoe for you. They are cute, super comfortable, and provide superior arch support and cushioning. You can stand for long hours wearing these clogs without hurting your feet. The Penny clogs are made of full-grain leather upper for a beautiful look. You will be able to slip in and out easily without bending. The inside is lined with soft leather for comfort.
The cushioned leather footbed will provide support and comfort all day long. The shank adds support and stability. The roomy toe box and overall spacious design will make you walk comfortably despite swollen feet. The rigid rocker sole will protect your feet from injury. You can prevent flat feet and plantar fasciitis by wearing Dansko shoes. At the bottom is a hand-finished PU outsole for good traction to prevent slip and trip accidents.
Dansko also makes sneakers, flats, boots, and summer shoes, and you can choose the best Dansko shoes for pregnancy according to your need. They last longer and are worth every penny.
Alegria Women’s Keli Professional
Were you looking for stylish, comfortable, and supportive shoes for pregnancy to prevent flat feet and accommodate swollen arches? For almost every woman, Alegria offers many styles, from summer shoes to winter boots. The memory foam, cork, and latex footbed will contour to accommodate any foot type. The roomy toe box will help your swollen feet from pregnancy or bunions.
The Birkenstocks style footbed will assist in preventing flat feet and plantar fasciitis by providing good arch support and shock absorption. The removable insoles will let you insert your orthotics in your need. The slip-resistant outsole will help in preventing fall injuries.
Alegria shoes offer a mini rocker sole with an unbendable midsole. The rocker sole shoes help relieve pain at the ball of the foot by preventing pressure at the metatarsal area. These shoes also cushion and support your feet if your work requires you to stand or walk all day during pregnancy.
Dansko Women’s Brandi Navy Textured Canvas Fashion Sneaker
These shoes are carefully and beautifully designed to accommodate your feet without strain during pregnancy. The Dansko Brandi comes with a removable memory foam footbed for increased comfort. The EVA midsole is lightweight and absorbs shock. Its sole is ergonomically contoured to provide excellent arch support, limiting any chances of getting tired. The shoes have adjustable leather laces that make it easy to adjust swollen pregnancy foot accommodation at different times of the day. In addition, the fine trends installed on these shoes offer a firm grip while walking on wet or slippery floors.
Skechers GO Walk 3
The GOwalk 3 shoes from Skechers are incredibly lightweight and well-cushioned. They combine the GogaMat footbed with GO Pillars midsole to provide shock absorption for daily walking. In addition, they offer excellent arch support and are one of the most comfortable shoes for standing and walking all day during pregnancy.
It is made of suedes and meshes upper for breathability. The Memory Form Fit offers a cushion around the heel. Resalyte Midsole helps absorb shock, and The resale midsole cushioning offers total comfort. Go pillars provide flexibility and cushioning. The outsole is made of rubber and provides good traction. There is a four-way stretch mesh for flexibility and convenience to accommodate your swollen large-sized feet due to pregnancy.
The wide-toe box offers enough room to accommodate your large feet during pregnancy. They are great if you have difficulty finding slip-on shoes wide enough across the toes and narrow enough at the heel to prevent slippage. These shoes were the most comfortable ones you could find during your pregnancy. They can stretch and accommodate your wide swollen feet without pressure and never slip, and they feel like socks.
Birkenstock Arizona Unisex Leather Sandal
There is a wide range of Birkenstock Arizona Shoes that you can choose from, and all of them have multi-point adjustable straps. These shoes have a well-cushioned footbed for increased comfort, especially standing. Its sole is made of combined memory foam and cork material that expands to accommodate your swollen feet comfortably. The idea behind the cork sole is to make this sandal extremely light, making it very easy to walk on all day. The sole is accurately structured to take your foot and its contours, thus providing excellent arch support.
Birkenstock, Arizona, is ranked among the best arch support sandals for women to date. The footbed is cushioned and will absorb shock on feet all day. The outsole is durable and lightweight. You can wear these shoes inside the house, at work, shopping, etc. These shoes offer raised metatarsal support. The deep heel cup will help provide the rear fit, stability, and traction.
These shoes have premium upper leather that you can adjust to fit your swollen pregnancy feet perfectly. The footbed is lined with soft leather lining for added comfort and breathability. In addition, the metatarsal pad on the sole of the feet will help relieve the pressure from pressure points. These are one of the most comfortable and best shoes for pregnant women.
Skechers Sport Women’s Skech Air Relaxed Fit Fashion Sneaker
This is the athletic shoe from the relaxed fit collection for a roomier and more comfortable fit for swollen feet in the later months of pregnancy. It features a combination of fabric, leather, and mesh upper. It features a soft fabric shoe lining with a full-length memory cushioned footbed for shock absorption and comfort all day. The full-length air-cooled memory foam insole provides excellent arch support. The midsole is suitable for shock absorption and provides flexibility due to the Flex Grooves.
The rubber air cushioning outsole gives good traction and offers additional cushioning. These shoes are lightweight, only 8 OZ but are very supportive if you need to walk and stand all day long during pregnancy.
If you have flat feet and need a supportive shoe with a roomier forefront, try Skechers Sketch Air. Being a part of the Relaxed Fit Collection, these shoes can fit up to size D wide feet and are only available in Medium size. Unfortunately, they are not available in wide-width sizes. In addition, they are not machine washable because the upper is made of leather.
Pros
- Very Comfortable
- Lightweight
- Provides Pronation Control
- Shock Absorbing Midsole
- Roomy Fit Design can accommodate bunions and swollen feet
- Cheaper than Dansko, Birkenstock, and Alegria shoes
Cons
- Not as durable as Dansko, Alegria, and Birkenstock
- Does not offer Rocker Sole
Over counter Orthotics
Over-the-counter orthotics or insoles are another way to reduce foot pain. These insoles will provide arch support and added cushioning in the heel and ball of the foot area and provide enough support if your arches are flattening. For example, the Powerstep Protech Control Full-Length Orthotics are firm full-length insoles that provide adequate firm arch support for flat feet and plantar fasciitis during pregnancy. They also provide excellent cushioning at the metatarsal and heel areas and are made of EVA foam. Powerstep with Protech control offers more support than the original Powerstep insoles. In addition, the insoles are inexpensive to relieve your foot pain and support your feet if you are a pregnant woman and are on a budget.
Crocs Duet Busy Day 2.0 Satya Flats
These shoes are colorful, breathable, beautiful, and stylish to accommodate your large feet due to pregnancy. They are super comfortable and lightweight, as well as flexible. They form your feet and give you a custom fit for your problem feet.
One could say that these shoes have been inspired by a day spent at a lovely beach because the ventilated design of the Adrina Flat II has a ventilated design that provides fantastic breathability, a comfortable style, and a flexible and relaxed fit for pregnant women.
- A flat with a capped toe made with a transparent synthetic TPU material in the upper shoe
- Nubs in the footbed offer a massage-like feel
- The artificial outsole is a non-marking Croslite material
- Heel measures about 0.25.”
- The footbed is perforated for comfort
- This ballet flat has slits and an embossed logo detail
One reviewer said, “Crocs are like chips in church, everyone looks at them in disgust, but down deep, they want some too. Listen; these are comfortable, easy to get on, and fit even the most Fred Flintstone of hooves. Don’t believe me? Find a nurse coming off a 12-hour shift and look at what’s on their feet. “
If you are looking for a stylish, comfortable, affordable shoe, these are both excellent choices for the best shoes for pregnant women. Either shoe is suitable for the pregnant woman because it has ample room for a wider foot or swelling in the foot.
WHY FEET SWELL DURING PREGNANCY
According to a well-known online publication about parenting, the average woman will witness her foot size increase roughly half a size during pregnancy. Of course, you can blame this on your hormones going haywire during your pregnancy. As a result, your body undergoes a complete transformation, and it can get uncomfortable once the “pregnancy honeymoon” phase is over. The joints become looser and small bones can expand, resulting in wider feet. Moreover, fluid retention can also cause swelling and tighten your shoe feet. Ouch!
Feet swelling during pregnancy comes down to several things, such as gestational swelling, weight increase, and relaxing hormones in secretions that slacken feet, tendons, and muscles, increasing your feet’ size. In addition, the closer you get to the last trimester of your pregnancy, the body gets extensive, and things can get slippery. As a result, wearing comfortable and safe shoes is the most important thing to do to deal with swelling and wet surfaces.
BUDGET-SAFETY-STYLE
Saving money may be your priority since there’s a little one on the way. To make things easier, buy one to two pairs of shoes 10mm larger than your shoe size and purchase them once in the first six months of your pregnancy and during the last trimester of your pregnancy.
Choose shoe styles that are simple and practical. They should be round at the tip, roomy but secure on your feet. They should be made from soft materials to make them better for walking and traveling. The substrate height should be 15-30mm. It should be flat and have high friction to prevent mishaps while walking.
High heels or spearhead shoes are out of the question as they can result in aching feet and make your body somewhat unstable, including the risks of slips and falls. Shoes with straps are not a good idea either, and the reason is apparent. Trying to tie or find strap-on shoes when you can hardly see your feet will require several tricks! The following guide will help you pick the best shoes for pregnant women.
GUIDELINES FOR BUYING SHOES DURING PREGNANCY
- It is best to wear shoes with wide and low heels. Avoid shoes with heels that measure more than 2″ so your back is adequately supported.
- Good arch support: Shoes with good arch support are vital, so use an insert that adds arch support if you need it. Your shoe should also offer a comfortable padded footbed. You can avoid foot pain by choosing orthopedic shoes.
- Buy shoes for wider feet
- A wide-toe box is best; shoes that are too tight will cause even more discomfort
- Slip-on shoes are more practical as lace-up shoes will be too difficult to tie
- The best thing to do is prevent swelling by staying away from tight and fashionable shoes. If you are already dealing with foot swelling, switch to more comfortable orthopedic shoes as soon as possible. Try shopping for new shoes at the end of a workday. It will be easier to find the best shoes for pregnant women if your feet are already swollen. If you are experiencing severe swelling in your feet, wearing a tiny larger size is your best option.
- Ask a salesperson to measure your feet if you have a hard time getting shoes on and off and are unsure what the right size is.
- Buy shoes that balance your gait and arch type. See the podiatrist if you have a problem with feet with flat arches, bunions, etc.
- Wear orthopedic shoes if other shoes are too uncomfortable. Wearing shoes designed for diabetics could be a great option. These shoes are made to be stretched and will feel comfortable regardless of how swollen your feet are.
- Slip-resistant shoes are suggested irrespective of the time of year you are pregnant, primarily if you work in a place where the floor could become slippery. This will help you avoid injuries during your pregnancy.
TREAT YOUR FEET RIGHT
Stay away from flip-flops during pregnancy. This type of shoe is too flat and offers no arch support! Another thing on the pregnancy shoe-warning list is open-toe shoes. Instead, You should purchase small wedges and flats in leather as they expand with your feet. Also, flats (with an arch) can ease back pain and strain frequently linked to pregnancy.
It’s crucial to treat your feet right during your pregnancy. This means choosing comfortable, roomy shoes and shoes that give you proper support. In addition, the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons has stated that your feet could permanently expand to full size! Therefore, treat your feet well. Then, you may finish your pregnancy with a precious newborn and feet that fit the stylish shoes you wore before your pregnancy.
PREGNANCY WITH STYLE
Though swelling feet can dent your style, it does not have to be that way. The best shoes for pregnant women have been revolutionized, and there are options to make you feel comfortable and stylish throughout your pregnancy and afterward!
These are only some stretchable shoes available if you suffer from swollen feet. The best thing to do is to read up on these different shoes and go to a few shoe stores so you can try other models and see how they fit. The important thing is to find supportive shoes that make you feel comfortable and reduce the pain associated with swollen feet.