Maternity Clothes Guide: The Best Shoes for Pregnancy

Features to look for when buying maternity shoes:

• Flat Heels
• Wide Width
• Zippers on side
• Stretchable ankle
• Adjustable back

Features to avoid when shopping for pregnancy shoes:

• Straps
• Tall Heels
• Narrow shoes
• Constricting shoes
• Flats with rigid sides

If your ankles are swollen when you're pregnant, don't worry! You're not alone. This is a common problem for pregnant women. There are some great shoe options which are both trendy as well as comfortable for your swollen feet.

The first thing to look for in maternity shoes are a FLAT HEEL! Don't purchase shoes with a heel. Your crampy-prone feet will thank you for it! Try to avoid shoes with a strap or anything that will constrict your foot or ankle. Seek shoes that feature a wider width to accommodate your swollen feet.

Another helpful feature to search for is shoes with a zipper which will give your feet some extra room. While your feet are swollen, unzip the shoes and try wearing them with the zipper open or loosened. This feature is awesome because after you have the baby your feet will go down and then you can zip the shoes back up to their original size.

Flats are another perfect option for swollen feet. Look for flats that are made from a flexible material with an adjustable or movable back. Next, make sure that the sides of your flats are not too rigid.

Tall boots may be hard to find for your maternity wear. On a mission for boots? Look for boots with a wide calf or wide width. Some boots feature a stretchable back which would help to accommodate your swelling legs.

Here are a few suggestions of places to purchase your next pair of comfortable pregnancy shoes.

• Shoes.com - features some of the best shoe brands. Unworn items can be returned within 60 days of the purchase date. Use code SHOES15 at checkout to get 15% off your purchase.
• Shop Amazon for a huge selection of comfortable flats. CLICK HERE to shop now. For your convenience, this link will take you to an Amazon search with only flats.
• The department store, Dillards, carries a wide selection of flats. CLICK HERE to shop now. For your convenience, this link will take you to a Dillards search with only flats.

Flats are the perfect shoe for pregnancy. They are easy to slip on your feet when bending over becomes impossible in the later months. Most flats are comfortable to wear. When your feet become prone to cramps, you'll appreciate a flat comfortable shoe.

Also, these shoes are typically lightweight and will not make your feet hot. Flats come in a variety of colors and styles to match every outfit in your maternity wardrobe. Nude and black are a few great colors to add to your closet. These colors are both versatile to match any outfit and are trendy. These inexpensive shoes are a must-have for your closet.

Booties are second on my list for must-have maternity shoes for fall or winter weather. When shopping for booties, look for a shoe with a wide width. You want to make sure that your swollen ankles will fit comfortably into the shoes.

Also, booties with a zipper along the side or back will give your feet some extra room when they expand. Try wearing them with the zipper loosened or open for maximum comfort. When your feet go back down, you can zip them up to the original size. Zippers can be super helpful when attempting to slip your feet into the shoes when bending over becomes difficult.

Boots are a little harder to pull off when your legs and feet swell during pregnancy. Often, I had to retire my boots when I became pregnant; to be worn after delivery of my baby and the swelling went down. However, you can wear boots during pregnancy.

The main thing to look for in a pregnancy boot is a wide calf or wide width. Boots with a stretchable back are also wearable. These come with a strip of material that is similar to elastic and stretches to accommodate your expanding calf area. Side zippers are another feature that can make boots wearable during pregnancy.

Melinda Longoria, MSM has sold maternity clothes online since 2012, has three beautiful children, and has helped many other moms with their questions on her successful Facebook fanpage, Maternity Clothes Online, which has over 920 followers. Please feel free to post your comments and questions about Maternity Fashion or these Juice Beauty Skin Care products in the below comment box.

Have I helped you to understand which features to avoid and look for when purchasing maternity shoes? Are you confident in shopping for pregnancy shoes now? What types of shoes are you looking to buy? Can you recommend a comfortable shoe to our readers that would be appropriate for swollen ankles or feet?

• Maternity Clothes Guide - How to Buy Jeans or Pants for your Pregnancy
• Maternity Clothes Guide - How to Wear Blazers and Suit Jackets
• Maternity Clothes Guide - Coats and Jackets - Outerwear for Fall and Winter
• Maternity Clothes Guide - Add a Scarf to Your Outfit this Fall or Winter