There is no magic, all-inclusive “list” of things you will need when preparing for your pregnancy, but there are endless suggestions. As an expectant mother, you have a lot of things on your mind, and even with all of this assistance, you can’t possibly foresee every necessary item that you need - well, until you actually need it.

It is also important to think beyond just your pregnancy. There are many essential items you will need as a new mom, and the things you need for yourself should be a top priority. When preparing for this special occasion, consider your own comfort and convenience so that you can be your best.

Don’t let the most important item slip your mind. There is one item you will desperately need while preparing for pregnancy - pregnancy shoes.

During Pregnancy

You may be thinking that maternity clothes should be the last thing on your mind in the early stage of your pregnancy. However, the need for pregnancy shoes will soon become essential. There is an earlier need for them than clothes. Also, pregnancy shoes go far beyond any maternity item, as they even benefit women who aren’t pregnant.

Even before you begin to visibly show the signs of your pregnancy, you may experience swelling in your feet. The shoes you normally wear will stop being comfortable and start becoming a nuisance. For example, many of us kick-off our sneakers or slip-ons with laces, and try to slip them back on later without untying them. This is not going to work when you are pregnant. There will be days when your feet are swollen, and days when they aren’t.

A good pregnancy shoe will consider that important fact, and be designed for easy and hands free wear. It will also factor in the later stage of your pregnancy, when a little “bump” may prevent (or severely hinder) your ability to put on your own shoes.

You may not need to actually see your feet to put on shoes, but actually being able to reach them with a pregnancy bump is impossible. Having to bend over, or trying to bend your leg up to put on shoes is unacceptable when you are pregnant. Keep in mind, if you have to adjust your shoe outside of the home, you won’t necessarily have a place to sit. Trying to adjust your shoes while standing with a bump, does not make for an easy situation, or a safe one.

You need a hands-free pregnancy shoe with a collapsible heel so you can shove your feet in the shoes, and the heel pops back up on its own. Let’s be honest, this type of solution is a great convenience for anyone on the go who loves to slip in and out of their sneakers!

After Pregnancy

While pregnancy doesn’t last forever, motherhood certainly does! The need for a convenient, comfortable pair of footwear doesn’t go away when the baby bump does. In fact, as a new mom you’ll need “pregnancy” shoes now more than ever.

I’m sure you can picture this scenario: you are running late, and your shoes are lying by the door, still tied because you kicked them off your feet last time without untying them. You try to slip them on as you’re chasing your toddler or leaving with an armful of baby and accessories, but the heel is squished so all you can do is jam in your feet and hope they don’t fall off before you can sit and fix them.

After a while, squishing down the heel of your sneaker or shoe will wear them out, forcing you to have to buy another pair. No new mom has the time or money to purchase new shoes especially when the problem can be easily avoided with a good pregnancy shoe.

Beyond Pregnancy

Pregnancy shoes are perhaps the one item you can invest in early on that will benefit you long after your pregnancy. While the prices will vary considerably, there are a lot of options to consider when deciding.

Other items that were essential during your pregnancy, such as maternity clothes, will be donated or re-gifted, but you will always need comfortable shoes. Understandably, you especially don’t want shoes that look like “maternity” wear. Afterall, your desire for quality, stylish shoes doesn’t stop merely because you’re a mom.

When preparing for pregnancy, you should certainly be considering a pair of pregnancy shoes as one of the items you definitely need. A good piece of footwear will fulfill many items on the never ending new mother “to do” list. They will provide comfort and ease as your body changes during your pregnancy. Pregnancy shoes will offer convenience for your hectic life, and style so that you still feel like yourself.