Risk of wearing high heels during Pregnancy

Is it safe to wear high heels during pregnancy? Will, they hurt my baby? What are the possible side effects and complications associated with wearing high heels during trimesters? These are the most common questions and doubts seen in pregnant ladies. Let us know about the dangers associated with wearing high heels during pregnancy.

I know high heels for women mean a lot especially for short women and pregnancy doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t be fashionable or look beautiful and have to pack your favorite heels and keep them away. You can wear them once in a while occasionally during your first and second trimesters. But a strict NO as your pregnancy progresses and especially in your third trimester as it is a crucial stage for both you and your baby.

The reason why pregnant women are asked not to wear high heels during pregnancy

During pregnancy, we are more likely to put on extra weight as well as our shape and center of gravity also changes due to which there is a slight risk of falling. In this condition wearing high heels makes us less study and further adds to the risk of falling. Falls during pregnancy can severely injure you and your baby and in few cases may also increase your risk of miscarriage. In addition to this, ligaments and tissues loosen and stretch during pregnancy due to the hormones released and this increases the risk of strains and sprains.

Risks and side effects of wearing high heels during Pregnancy

Here are few reasons why you should avoid wearing high heels during your trimesters

Calf muscle cramps- Wearing high heels during pregnancy strains and contracts calf muscles. Along with muscles present in the back and abdomen, the muscles present in the feet also stretch during pregnancy.
Loss of balance- Increased weight, weak ankle strength during pregnancy, and high heels all increase the probability of losing balance and falling. This falling and tripping increase risk of injuries to the mother as well as a growing baby.
Back pain- Pregnant ladies usually experience back pain due to the increasing weight of the baby. Wearing high heels in this condition further increases pressure on your pelvic joints and the lower back area leading to back pain.
Swelling in feet- Water retention and swollen ankles and feet are the most common conditions seen in conceived women. During this condition, wearing high heels further aggravates the condition and increases pain and discomfort.
Miscarriage- The greatest risk of high heels during pregnancy is a miscarriage. The risk of falling and miscarriages makes high heels a big NO during pregnancy.

Recommended not to wear high heels for Pregnant women

Pregnant women can wear high heels during their first trimester, but wearing them in later stages is not recommended especially those pointed high heels, instead, you can occasionally use block heels. Block heels provide better support and balance than pointy heels. Choose flats that are comfortable and never compromise in quality, as the cheaper ones are not sturdy and fail to give enough grips. Most importantly do not wear heels more than for 2 hours, to avoid discomfort and fluid retention. Shoes during pregnancy are highly recommendable and also keep you comfortable. If in case you feel pain or swelling in your legs during your trimesters, rest your legs in warm water for a few minutes. To get the relief you can even practice few stretching exercises and gently massage your feet with warm oil. Stretching exercises for conceived women does wonders and are beneficial for both the mother and the baby.

High heels enhance personal style and boost any outfit. High heels assist you to look taller and thinner. Most of the women prefer high heels to look fashionable and fit. Many women wear high heels for parties, occasions, dinners, dancing and to work places. Along with the above benefits high heels also negatively affects our body. High heels affects our posture, leads to back pain, arthritis, osteoarthritis and several other problems. High heels negatively impact on spine, ankle, hips, knees, feet and also your walk. High heels place excess pressure on our knees.

Negative Effects of High heels on the Body :

When a women wear high heels her body shifts forward affecting her standing posture. Toes are pointed straightly down when women wear high heels. High heels curled toes helps to look strong and have beautiful muscle tone. Women who wear high heels frequently face bone problems and joint pain. In initial stages wearing high heels may strengthen ankle muscle but later leads to instability and weakening of muscles. Wearing high heels also leads to arthritis and osteoarthritis.
Regular wearing of high heels has harmful effects on body like

Adversely Affects our Foot :

Walking in with bear foot puts our body weight on complete foot, when we walk in high heels our body weight or pressure will be on forefoot and leads to abnormalities of foot like bunions, hallux valgus, hammer toes, Morton’s neuroma and bone spurs. Long term usage leads to foot ache and pain in toes, sole, arch or heel.

Causes Lower Back pain :

High heels increase the risk of back pain, neck pain and lower back pain. As high heels fail to distribute body weight evenly it leads to inflammation and pain in lower back.

Harmful Effects on Knees :

High heels increases pressure on knees and leads to hyperextended knees. It causes pain in knee ligaments and kneecaps while walking, climbing steps and running.

Minimize Calf Muscle :

High heels in long run lead to sore calf muscles and minimize calf muscle in women up to 13%. It also leads to Achilles tendon.

Leads to Imbalance and Falls :

Wearing high heels can lead to imbalance and falls. Falling wearing high heels can lead to ankle sprain and sometimes can also cause broken ankle.

Causes Plantar Fasciitis :

Plantar fasciitis affects your foot where ligament attaches to bone and also leads to micro tears in the ligament and breakdown of collagen. Plantar fasciitis causes pain in heels and bottom of foot.

High heels lead to Posture problems :

Though wearing high heels assists to shape your posture, it also leads to many health issues. High heels situate entire body out of natural alignment. Upper part of the body i.e. head and chest are pushed forward as the lower part of the body leans forward due to high heels. This unnatural posture impacts the lumbar curve and increases pressure on spine and balls of the foot. This pressure on spine and lumbar curve leads to sciatica which causes shooting pain, tingling or numbness down the leg.