Is it safe to wear heels during pregnancy?
Is it safe to wear heels during pregnancy?
High heels in early stages of pregnancy are generally seen as ok, although experts suggest switching to a sturdier heel or wedge shoe for extra balance and comfort.
However, later stages see the body change drastically and this can reason a litany of problems for a mum-to-be. Firstly, high heels can reason a lot of backache due to the extra weight gained during pregnancy.
When you put your heels on, your posture changes slightly, putting more pressure on your back, and on your knee and ankle joints. With your center of gravity also changing during these nine months, high heels can pose a potential risk of falling and injuring both yourself and your baby as you are less steady on your feet.
During pregnancy, women usually walk differently to accommodate the growing baby, and ligaments tend to be looser, leading to joint instability and muscle strain.
Women also experience swollen feet during their third trimester – a condition known as edema – so restrictive high heels can be extremely uncomfortable and painful.
It is usually encouraged during the second and third trimesters to opt for comfort and safety over fashion.
Effects of Wearing Heels during Pregnancy:
Calf Cramps-
When you wear heels for a long time, your calf muscles are in a contracted situation. This leads to cramps in the muscles, which may be aggravated during pregnancy.
Back Pain-
High heels are supposed to alter your posture. Your pelvic muscles are bent forward, giving a rounder shape to your back.
You will gain a considerable quantity of weight around the front during pregnancy and this change in posture will reason pain.
The ligaments in lower back and legs are loosened during pregnancy. Wearing heels puts excess pressure on the pelvic and back joints, since the support is not correct. This results in aches around joints and ligaments of the lower back and pelvic area.
Less Balance-
The strength in your ankles is likely to decrease due to excess weight and hormonal changes in the body.
This is a general cause that will lead to a lower balancing capacity.
When you are wearing heels, there will be higher probability of losing balance and tripping over, cause injury to you and your unborn child.
Swelling in Feet-
A medical situation known as edema or swelling in legs, ankles, and feet is quite general during pregnancy.
Wearing tight shoes and high heels or platform heels will further aggravate the problem.
Wearing high heels especially in the late pregnancy can reason swollen feet.
More fluid will be accumulated in the lower part of your body and along with swelled feet you might also experience pain.