Being a Podiatrist, I have had many friends and acquaintances over the past couple of days ask me about wearing high heels during pregnancy. Kate Middleton has been traveling around New York City with Prince William sporting high heels while about five months pregnant.
Women want to remain fashionable and pretty during pregnancy. Many women before pregnancy have become accustomed to wearing 3-5 inch or even 6 inch heels while at work or when going out. These women already feel well balanced, strong and comfortable in high heels. Note: I consider high heels any height above 2 inches.
Hormones released during pregnancy into the bloodstream, such as progesterone, cause ligaments to loosen in the lower back and abdomen to allow room for your baby to grow. These hormones also cause ligaments in your ankles and feet to loosen. Feet widen and ankle strength may diminish making wearing high heels risky and no longer comfortable.
Loose ankle ligaments can also cause instability. The instability of your ankles added to balance issues that occur because of redistribution of body weight, may lead to injuries that could harm you and your fetus. Wearing high heels during pregnancy adds to this risk.
Common sense and a few tips can help prevent injuries to mom and baby:
1. Choose heels with a low to moderate height, below 2 inches
2. Shoes with heels that have a wider base. Heels that contain a wider base provide more stability and help to prevent trips, falls and ankle sprains.
3. If you are going to wear low to moderate heels, do so for a short amount of time. After going out for a meeting or dinner, etc change back into a comfortable supportive shoe.
As you move further along in your pregnancy especially after 24 weeks, it is a good idea to stop wearing heels altogether. Even wearing low heels can cause injury to you or your fetus. Be safe and always put health over fashion!
Women want to remain fashionable and pretty during pregnancy. Many women before pregnancy have become accustomed to wearing 3-5 inch or even 6 inch heels while at work or when going out. These women already feel well balanced, strong and comfortable in high heels. Note: I consider high heels any height above 2 inches.
Hormones released during pregnancy into the bloodstream, such as progesterone, cause ligaments to loosen in the lower back and abdomen to allow room for your baby to grow. These hormones also cause ligaments in your ankles and feet to loosen. Feet widen and ankle strength may diminish making wearing high heels risky and no longer comfortable.
Loose ankle ligaments can also cause instability. The instability of your ankles added to balance issues that occur because of redistribution of body weight, may lead to injuries that could harm you and your fetus. Wearing high heels during pregnancy adds to this risk.
Common sense and a few tips can help prevent injuries to mom and baby:
1. Choose heels with a low to moderate height, below 2 inches
2. Shoes with heels that have a wider base. Heels that contain a wider base provide more stability and help to prevent trips, falls and ankle sprains.
3. If you are going to wear low to moderate heels, do so for a short amount of time. After going out for a meeting or dinner, etc change back into a comfortable supportive shoe.
As you move further along in your pregnancy especially after 24 weeks, it is a good idea to stop wearing heels altogether. Even wearing low heels can cause injury to you or your fetus. Be safe and always put health over fashion!
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