30 Weeks Pregnant: Mama Needs a New Pair of Shoes

You've gone 30 whole weeks (well, technically 28, but we won't split hairs) carrying your little one, so it's no wonder your feet hurt. Even though she's a relatively light 3 pounds right now, you're still feeling the weight of your growing uterus and placenta and any extra weight you've gained, in addition to about 1.5 pints of amniotic fluid.

Tip of the week:
If you have some old shoes or sneakers that fit your swollen feet but leave something to be desired in the cushioning department, try using inserts or orthotics. In fact, if your discomfort is particularly bad, consider seeing a podiatrist to get custom orthotics for optimal support.

Your wee babe isn't just getting bigger—pushing your uterus up underneath your ribs as she grows—she's also getting pretty good at seeing things. In fact, she can tell the difference between light and dark and can follow moving lights with her eyes.

At birth, her sight will be 20/400, meaning that she'll only be able to detect objects that are a few inches from her face. This may be a good thing, because it means she'll miss the sight of you rubbing your swollen feet and hobbling across the room to tend to her.

Pregnancy hormones don't just soften the joints and ligaments in your pelvis to allow for childbirth, they can also affect the whole body. For many women, this means expanding feet as the metatarsals give under the weight of you and your baby.

While you're right to blame biology, your footwear may not be doing you any favors when it comes to foot pain. We know it's tempting to don those fashion-forward ballet flats or the occasional cute pair of heels during pregnancy, but now is the time to keep comfort in mind. Listen to what your mother told you and choose a sensible pair of shoes to wear through the end of your pregnancy and even a month or two beyond.

When shopping for shoes, look for a pair that has plenty of room in the toe box and good arch support, which is key to preventing discomfort and injury. Additionally, keep in mind that your tootsies may get even bigger and you may need to go up a half size or even a full size.