Pregnancy is a beautiful and exciting time in a woman’s life and every moment should be enjoyed.  Sadly though, many women find they experience tired, aching feet which rapidly morph into colossal balls of fluid; and this, combined with a very persistent lower back pain, means that rather than blossoming, the Mum-to-be can end up feeling very sore.

Pregnancy footwear can help to take the pressure of the feet and give cushioning for maximum comfort. The joints and ligaments can also loosen throughout the term due to changes in hormone levels - so a healthy posture is essential and there are pregnancy shoes which can encourage this.

During pregnancy, the body undergoes a significant change in shape, weight and centre of gravity which has a detrimental knock on affect on the spine and lower extremities. The increase in weight is directly related to the postural changes seen in the thoracic and abdominal regions which in turn shift the centre of gravity forward. In layman's terms, this alters a woman's stance and she can find herself standing back on her heels in order to compensate for this change. This can affect the balance so it’s important to ditch those high heels and get a pair of pregnancy shoes that will support the body throughout these adjustments.

These changes can cause lordosis (or sway back) of the lumbar spine as the abdominal muscles become stretched (and as such weakened) as the baby grows in the uterus. Not only that, but the shoulders and head can fall forward which places additional pressure on the middle and lower spine. To reduce the chances of this happening and to limit any long term problems it is essential that you wear shoes recommended for during pregnancy as these have been designed to give you the support you need.

It isn’t just the back and spine which can be affected; there are changes in the legs and feet too. The feet can over-pronate (which is when the arches become flat and weak) and, if they remain untreated, numerous foot conditions can develop, namely Plantar Fasciitis and Metatarsalgia. The development of these painful heel conditions can be avoided by wearing pregnancy shoes which offer support to the arches and cushioning to the heel. And let’s not forget the swelling or "oedema" which arises because of the pressure exerted on the circulation by the expanding uterus. Shoes for during pregnancy can prevent these problems and allow you to enjoy your bump.

All of the conditions affecting the spine and feet can be reduced by wearing pregnancy footwear throughout the term.

So which are the best pregnancy shoes for you?

Earth have a great selection of pregnancy footwear, thanks to the brilliant Negative Heel Technology which positions the heel slightly lower than the rest of the foot, they promote a more natural posture, with the head straight, shoulders rolled back and the spine and pelvis aligned which allows the back to form its natural arch. Basically, you should be able to draw an imaginary line from the ear, shoulder, knee and the middle of the ankle if the centre of gravity is correctly aligned. When wearing Earth pregnancy shoes the circulation is also improved which can drastically reduce oedema.

Crocs have some great shoes for during pregnancy, their clogs are lightweight so there is no added pressure or strain to your already overworked legs and feet. Each clog features nubs on the footbed which massage the feet as your walk and help to improve circulation. Crocs are made using Croslite which moulds around the foot to give you a pair of pregnancy shoes with a custom fit and the air vents help your feet from over heating which can be a real problem during pregnancy.

Beech have some pregnancy footwear which includes the Beech Originals Sandals and the Beech Comfys. Both of these styles feature individual toe separators which help to realign the feet into their correct position.  This is extremely important when the muscles and ligaments are more pliable during pregnancy so they don’t become misshapen. The idea of separating and aligning the toes is based on the principles of yoga and helps to improve the balance and grounding of the whole body.

Alegria have a range of clogs and shoes for during pregnancy which feature a luxuriously padded footbed to give you maximum comfort all day long. Alegria pregnancy shoes have a rolling sole which takes the pressure off your heels and joints when walking to promote a natural gait and encourage a straighter posture. Available in funky styles and prints so there’s no need to compromise on style at all during your 9 months!

If you prefer barefooting shoes then Vivo Barefoot have some great pregnancy shoes with an ultra thin sole to give you the experience of walking barefoot but with the added protection of wearing shoes. Walking barefoot is not only extremely comfortable but it can have positive health effects for the whole body as it encourages you to adopt a natural stance and you use the muscles in your legs and feet as nature intended. Vivo Barefoot shoes are also wide fitting, perfect for when your feet are swollen.