Shoes for protecting your feet during pregnancy

While a supportive pair (or pairs) of shoes aren't often your first thought at the beginning of pregnancy, they're soon going to become your best friend.

Pregnancy brings a heap of changes to the body, and your feet are just another part that becomes affected. Dropped arches due to increased stretchiness in your muscles and ligaments (from a hormone called relaxin) can lead to issues like overpronation and plantar fasciitis. This means you need good footwear to keep your feet functional and pain-free.

"Shoes that have arch support and a firm base" are of utmost importance, according to physiotherapist and Get Better Physiotherapy Centre, Garima Bharti.

"Definitely avoid medium to high-heeled shoes, as they will increase the pressure on the muscles of the feet," she advises. So, if you love a stiletto, you may have to take them off rotation for a few months.

Some of Bharti's top recommendations are Skechers with arch support and Asics sports shoes. We've rounded up a range of shoes to consider as you move through the stages of pregnancy.

NOTE: Prices are accurate at time of publishing.

Skechers Slip-Ins: Ultra Flex 3.0 – Elevated Motion

Was $159.99, now $127.99

These shoes feature a breathable upper that'll be kind to swollen feet. They also boast an exclusive Heel Pillow design that holds your foot in place, plus the Skechers Air-Cooled Memory Foam cushioned insole for maximum comfort and support.

Skechers Slip-Ins: Jade – Put It In Neutral

Buy them here for $169.99

A white sneaker option that's supportive, the Jade Skechers Slip-Ins have a trendy, thick sole and are made of durable leather that'll last. They also have the Heel Pillow and Air-Cooled Memory Foam cushioned insole unique to the Skechers brand, which will keep you supported throughout your pregnancy.

Asics GT-2000 13 Lite-Show Shoes

Available from The Athlete's FootAvailable from Asics

It's essential to have a good pair of walking or fitness shoes during pregnancy, as staying active offers plenty of benefits. Asics are a favourite brand amongst runners, but they're equally supportive if you're just getting your steps up, too. The GT-2000 13 Lite-Show Shoes are lightweight but also provide adaptive stability. They're designed for those with overpronation, making them ideal for use during pregnancy.

Asics Gel-Kayano 31 Shoes

Available from The Athlete's FootAvailable from Asics

Another shoe designed for running, the Gel-Kayano 31, still offers moderate support and high-cushioning to wearers who are just walking. It features a trademarked 4D Guidance System in the midsole, along with PureGEL technology, which offers shock absorption and reduces impact on the joints.

Hoka Bondi 9 Shoes

$289.99 on Hoka

Possibly the best Hoka model for walking, the Bondi shoe has a thick, cushioned sole that remains lightweight for wearability. It features an engineered mesh upper for breathability, improved heel geometry for greater stability, and, best of all, is now available on sale.

READ MORE: I gave in to the Hoka hype, and these are my honest thoughts

Birkenstock Arizona Smooth Leather Regular Sandals

$212 on The Iconic

While this might seem like a rogue choice, the anatomically moulded cork footbed of the Birkenstock Arizona offers strong support. It's designed to guide the foot to a natural position, which helps with arch support. The straps are also adjustable, allowing you to adjust them to accommodate any swelling if needed.

Archies Arch Support Unisex Slides

$59.99 on The Athlete's Foot

These Aussie-designed slides are ultra-comfy, offering strong arch support in a casual-looking shoe. They offer up to 2.2cm of orthotic support while remaining lightweight. Perfect for running errands or wearing around the house, you can also grab the Archies Arch Support Unisex Slides in a range of bright colours.

Skechers Relaxed Fit: Arch Fit Granola

Was $139.99, now just $43Or grab them on Amazon

If you enjoy the clog look and having warmer toes in winter, the Arch Fit Granola shoes from Skechers are another good option. They feature a supportive ArchFit contoured footbed, made with Luxe Foam cushioning. They also boast a genuine suede upper and an adjustable buckle.

How to choose the right shoes in pregnancy

What kind of problems might women experience with their feet in pregnancy?

According to Bharti, the major issue that arises in pregnancy is dropped arches, which lead to flat feet, which "may eventually cause plantar fasciopathy". 

"This happens because of the many hormones released during pregnancy that make the muscles and ligaments more flexible and stretchy in preparation for childbirth," Bharti explains.

"Flattening of the arches may then put undue pressure on the band of connective tissue that supports these arches, called the plantar fascia, which can become very tight and sore."

The plantar fascia attaches to the heel, and friction at the attachment can lead to heel pain and bone spurs.

This usually happens towards the end of the second trimester and the third trimester, as the baby grows and the mother's body weight increases. 

READ MORE: The best shoes for plantar fasciitis, according to experts

How does the right footwear make a difference to these issues?

The right footwear will offer arch support that prevents this pain-causing friction in the heels. 

"It will also prevent rolling of the feet inwards, which is called overpronation," Bharti tells us.

Overpronation occurs when your gait eventually leads to more flattening of your feet than normal, and is also common in pregnancy. Supporting the arches is important for addressing this concern.

Do these issues often continue post-partum?

"Most of these issues do resolve after childbirth, as long as the mother has taken measures to protect her feet during pregnancy," Bharti tells us. Returning to pre-pregnancy weight postpartum also helps.

However, sometimes they may continue, especially in mothers who breastfeed. This is due to the ongoing release of hormones, including relaxin. It can take up to two years for your hormones to normalise, so it's best to see a medical professional for any ongoing problems with your feet.

READ MORE: Gifts for brand-new mums they'll actually appreciate