Pregnancy is a delicate time for a woman as she undergoes a lot of changes in her body. It is important to ensure you use the right products for your own safety, this includes your shoes too. Yes, pregnancy can cause your feet to swell and ache more than ever. It is very important to choose the right walking shoes during your pregnancy, to avoid unwanted injuries and complications.
To reduce extra tension and strain on the feet and legs, avoid wearing constricting shoes such as boots. Tennis shoes are recommended by many pregnant women as the finest shoes to wear throughout pregnancy. There are several pregnancy-specific shoes available on the market. Here are some pointers to help you select the best one for you.
In This Article
- Feet-Related Issues During Pregnancy
- Benefits Of Walking Shoes During Pregnancy
- Types Of Pregnancy Shoes You May Want To Consider
- Tips For Choosing The Right Walking Shoes
- 5 Best Maternity Shoes In India
Feet-Related Issues During Pregnancy
Pregnancy does not cause changes just in your weight, but the size of your clothes too. As the body’s weight increases, the pressure on your feet increases too. Your center of balance changes and it is very important to use the right walking shoes when you are pregnant.
Some of the common problems you can experience when pregnant are:
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Swelling Of Feet And Legs
Pregnancy causes water retention in the body. It is very evident in the lower limbs of the body, causing your legs and feet to swell. As a result, your old shoes won’t fit well as pregnancy progresses. You will have to buy a size bigger or shoes that can expand a little to accommodate your swelling feet.
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Varicose Veins
Varicose veins are another common issue caused by the pressure on the uterus as the baby grows. Your veins twist and grow in size. It can be very painful for some. The best way to keep this in check is to exercise. You need to wear the right shoes if you are going to walk or exercise when you are pregnant. The shoes must be comfortable and not too tight, restricting your blood flow.
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Heel Pain
As your weight increases and your center of balance changes, you will start putting more weight on your heel to support the baby bump projecting in the front. This will lead to severe heel pain, especially if you are standing for long hours. The right shoes with optimal comfort for your heels can prevent this pain.
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Sprain To The Ligament
You cannot balance your weight like before, so you need to rely on good comfortable shoes. Even a small twist to your ankle due to the wrong shoes can cause a serious sprain in your ligaments.
Benefits Of Walking Shoes During Pregnancy
Walking shoes are not restricted to those engaged in active workouts or regular walking. Anyone can use them if they want better support for their feet, just like pregnant women. Some of the benefits of using good walking shoes during your pregnancy are:
- Can take the pressure off your heels and reduce pain
- Will offer better support to your feet and prevent you from changing your footing or the way you walk
- Can prevent twists and sprains as the ankles will also be protected
- Will not catch a mat or anything on the ground, which can make you fall. You can’t see much of the floor you are walking on when you are in the advanced stages of pregnancy.
- Can help reduce back pain as it takes the pressure off your lower back and supports better posture
- You don’t have to worry about straps getting too tight or the toe catcher creating marks on your swollen feet.
Types Of Pregnancy Shoes You May Want To Consider
There are many shoes for you to choose from. You need not opt for pregnancy shoes, you can buy regular shoes suitable for the pregnant you. Here are a few varieties along with their advantages and disadvantages:
Slip-On
Can you imagine bending down to tie your lace when you are in your final trimester? Slip-on shoes are-
- Easy to wear and remove when you cannot bend down or access your feet
- Can be loose and accommodate your swelling feet
- If too lose, they can slip right out as you don’t have lace to fasten them
Rubber Soles
These can offer pregnant women a good grip when they walk
- Will not slip on a wet floor
- Can be too hard if used continuously for long hours
- Can protect feet on hard or uneven surfaces
- Can slip on the oily surface
- Some varieties can be heavy
Low Heel
These come with a very small heel.
- A low heel offers better support than flat footwear.
- It can also prevent too much pressure on your heels, thus reducing pain.
- Might be difficult to walk in towards the end of pregnancy or if the pregnant woman’s balance is not good.
Arch Support
These shoes have a slight arch to mimic the shape of your feet.
- It can prevent flat foot
- It can reduce the pressure on your feet
- Helps in better posture
- If you are used to flatting shoes or high heels, you may take time to find this comfortable
Tips For Choosing The Right Walking Shoes
When you are pregnant, everything seems to be changing. Finding the right pair of shoes can be quite challenging because your feet are growing too. Here we have a few tips for you:
- Always wear the footwear, walk around a bit, and then decide
- Buy shoes without lace
- Buy shoes with a little room to accommodate your swelling feet
- Keep track of when your feet swell during the day and go when your feet are swollen, to avoid buying something too small or tight
- Check the grip under the soles. Never pick a flat grip as they can slip easily
- Wiggle your toes in your new shoes to check for room within.
- Check for features offered and buy the one that suits your needs
- Check or ask what type of materials are used in making the sole and other parts.
- Buy shoes with ventilation as you can sweat more while pregnant.
5 Best Maternity Shoes In India
The best pregnancy shoe should be slip-resistant for improved stability and traction, enabling pregnant women to walk easily on all surfaces. To accommodate your swelling feet, they should be composed of breathable and elastic material. Following are To 5 maternity, shoes in India.
1. DOCTOR EXTRA SOFT Women’s Orthopaedic and Diabetic Adjustable Strap
EXTRA SOFT DOCTOR Women’s Care Orthopaedic and Diabetic footware has an exceptionally soft, padded, comfy, and cushioned foot-bed that improves foot comfort. This super soft slipper improves your walking comfort and makes your walking life easier and more enjoyable. A good rubber grip allows you to use these slippers on wet floors, tiles, marbles, and so on. Its rubber sole lasts a long time and allows for continuous daily use.
2. HEALTH FIT Women’s Orthopedic Slipper
Healthfit is a line of diabetic and orthopaedic shoes designed to provide optimal support and comfort for women.It is Comfortable, loose fitting, and excellent protection from pressure spots for the feet. Healthfit, a manufacturer of high-quality orthopaedic shoes, is committed to developing innovative therapeutic features and providing the most comfortable walking shoes available. HealthFit are also made to alleviate discomfort in the low back, knees, and arches of the foot.
3. Ortho + Rest Extra Soft Flip Flop Footwear Orthopedic Slippers
Slip on a pair of Ortho + Rest flip flops and relax your feet on the extremely elastic EVA cushions that help to balance your feet and cushion your steps. This orthopedic footwear, including orthopedic chappals and slippers, is designed to alleviate foot pain by reducing stress on the feet and ankles. Your feet will be stabilized and supported all day long thanks to the added arch support and the adjusted heel cover.
4. LivEasy Extra Soft Ortho Care Diabetic & Orthopedic Slippers
The neuropathy symptoms of tingling, burning, numbness, and cramping may be alleviated with the use of LivEasy Essential Orthopaedic Slippers. Having less pressure on the foot means less friction between the foot and the shoe, which is exactly what this footwear is aiming to do. Feet feel less pressure because of the decreased friction.
5. BRAND VILLA Extra Soft Doctor Ortho Care Orthopedic Diabetic
A greater number of people have heightened sensitivity, foot discomfort, and edoema. Soft and comfortable, the flexi puff of double-layered orthopaedic slippers is ideal for relieving heel discomfort. You’ll feel like you’re walking on air with these featherweight slippers. The orthotic insoles may provide support that does more than simply correct the problem; they also improve the wearer’s comfort. As a result, you may wear them for long periods of time without experiencing any pain, making them ideal for daily walks.
