Heels and ballet pumps a no-no in pregnancy

Published on Monday 14 June 2010 20:15

PREGNANT women who want to emulate celebrities by wearing high heels are putting their feet at risk, an expert has warned.

Lorraine Jones, from the Society of Chiropodists and Podiatrists, said women feel under pressure to wear stilettos but are risking long-term damage, as well as strains to their ankles and ligaments.

Furthermore, pregnant women routinely wear other unsuitable footwear, such as flip flops, ballet pumps and Ugg boots, she said.

A poll of 1,000 pregnant women for the society found 66 per cent regularly wear flip flops, 32 per cent wear high heels, 53 per cent ballet pumps and 30 per cent Ugg boots.

But Ms Jones said none of these shoe styles is suitable because they offer little support. "Weight gain and hormonal changes in pregnancy have a huge impact on the body," she said.

"Muscles and ligaments soften and stretch because of an increase in the ovarian hormone, relaxin, which makes your feet more prone to ankle and ligament strains on a daily basis.

"High heels alter your posture, shorten your calf muscles and place increased pressure on your back and knees.

"In pregnancy this places extra pressure on your joints when they are already under strain, which can result in a host of foot, leg and back problems and could increase the likelihood of falls."

The survey of pregnant women found about half feel under pressure to keep up with celebrity trends.

Yet seven out of ten have suffered foot problems in pregnancy including swollen ankles (37 per cent), swollen feet (45 per cent) and foot arch and heel pain (16 per cent).

If women must wear high heels, they should only do so very occasionally and at events where they will not be on their feet for too long, Ms Jones said.