Women want to look good always and everywhere, regardless of the circumstances. But when it comes to a potential threat to a baby growing in the womb, doubts and fears arise. In particular, pregnant women have many questions regarding the ability to wear heels. Is this allowed or not?

How long can you wear high heels?

Doctors unanimously declare: heels are unsafe not only in the third trimester, but also during early stages. The second trimester is considered relatively safe, and only if we are talking about a stable small heel, but not a very high stiletto heel.

However, if a pregnant woman feels well, the gynecologist does not give any contraindications; in the early stages, heels can be worn. Contraindications include:

• Threat of miscarriage;
• Uterine tone;
• Varicose veins.

It is better to play it safe for expectant mothers who have had miscarriages, complicated pregnancies, ectopic pregnancies, premature births in the past, C-section. But all pregnant women need to be on alert: in the early stages, a sudden attack of nausea or dizziness, a sharp jump in blood pressure may occur, and heels in this case will only aggravate the situation.

From mid-third trimester high heels are contraindicated, and few people would have the desire to choose shoes with heels: the stomach is already growing, the heaviness when walking increases, varicose veins, swelling and other problems make themselves felt.

In other words, it is better to give up high heels from the first weeks of pregnancy.

What happens when using high heel shoes?

Shoes with heels can be dangerous due to a number of consequences:

• Wearing heels affects the position of the baby in the womb, which increases the likelihood of stretch marks appearing on the abdomen.
• When walking, the center of gravity changes, and accordingly, the load on the spine increases. Since he is already under enormous stress (calcium deficiency, weight gain, lack of physical activity, change in hormonal levels), walking in heels will only aggravate this problem and lead to various diseases of the bones and joints. The fulcrum changes, the stomach protrudes, sags, and the position of the uterus changes. On later this can lead to premature birth.
• The load on the entire musculoskeletal system and the mother's body increases: the pelvic muscles and leg muscles can respond in the form of pain.
• Increased load negatively affects the condition of the lower extremities: ligaments weaken, the risk of developing varicose veins, swelling, and flat feet increases. Also, walking in heels often results in night cramps and weakening of the ankle joint.
• Often during pregnancy, wearing heels causes the shape of the foot to change: the bone in the big toe protrudes.
• Microcirculation of soft tissues and ligaments of the foot deteriorates.

A pregnant woman, who already walks “like a seal” out of fear, will experience completely different sensations when walking in heels. Fear and anxiety arise, and the risk of injury increases. The most common injuries in pregnant women are sprains and sprains.

The most dangerous consequences of wearing heels during pregnancy are uterine tone, miscarriage, and premature birth.

What kind of shoes should a pregnant woman wear?

An expectant mother should approach the choice of shoes no less responsibly than choosing a name for a child. She should take into account several characteristics:

• Shoes should only be made from natural materials. The skin of the feet must breathe because it is vulnerable female body increased: excessive sweating of the feet can provoke the appearance of nail fungus. In addition, cheap, low-quality shoes increase swelling.
• The leg should not be tight. Narrow, constricting, tight shoes increase the risk of varicose veins, increasing discomfort and pain. A pregnant woman should be able to easily put on and take off her shoes and feel light when walking.
• It is better to choose shoes without fasteners or with Velcro. If suddenly a woman has a long trip on the bus, has to sit in line for a long time or at some event, she should be able to take off her shoes without difficulty and with the help of strangers in order to reduce the load. Laces are not suitable in this case.
• If you still don’t want to give up a heel, it should be a stable, wide and reliable heel no higher than 3-5 cm. Many women choose a wedge heel, but it should be very comfortable and not feel like a heel.
• Not worth it summer time choose shoes with open heels (clogs, flip-flops). These should be ballet shoes or closed sandals with flat soles.
• In winter, it is better to buy a comfortable pair without heels half a size larger.

The best options for pregnant women are sports sneakers and sneakers (in later stages - with Velcro or without fasteners), moccasins, and loafers. In spring and winter, it is better to wear short boots and avoid high boots and over the knee boots: if there is swelling, the foot simply will not fit into the shoes or will be compressed.

It is better to go shopping for shoes in the evening: if you buy them in the morning, by the evening, when the swelling increases, a woman may experience discomfort and increased pressure from the shoes on the foot.

Of course, you shouldn’t buy something ugly when you’re pregnant, but comfortable shoes: it should please the expectant mother, improve her mood and not cause a feeling of embarrassment and shame in society.

The main decorations of a pregnant woman are happy eyes and a rounded tummy. It is better to put off high heels for the happy period of motherhood, but when carrying a baby they can be dangerous. Even in the early stages, you should not wear high heels, and you need to choose shoes for a long time, carefully and responsibly.

Especially for- Elena Kichak

Well, why shouldn’t pregnant women wear heels? - future mothers ask themselves, being in the first weeks of an interesting situation. Or maybe it’s still possible? And nothing bad will happen? Let's look at common opinions and misconceptions about this.

According to psychologists, the syndrome of desire for heels during pregnancy is caused by one reason. A woman, even who was looking forward to this joyful event, suddenly realizes that her life will change dramatically. There will no longer be much that was typical for her in everyday life, her lifestyle and priorities will change. In the end, the appearance will change, and it is not yet known in what direction. She wants to remain beautiful and attractive in the eyes of others for as long as possible. And it seems that heels are what you need for this.

But when asked what will happen if you wear heels during pregnancy, doctors warn: nothing good. And this is due to the structural features of the foot and the changes occurring in the female body.

Why does the foot suffer?

The structure of the foot includes about 30 bones. In a standing position, the load from the body weight is distributed more or less evenly on them, although the main pressure falls on the back (heel) and middle (arch of the foot). There are also joints here. Despite their small size, there are 33 of them in each foot. The purpose of these joints is to cushion when walking, so that the knee and hip joints experience less stress.

What happens when a woman wears high heels? Understanding this will allow you to answer the question of whether pregnant women can walk in heels.

• There is a shift in the centers of gravity. Instead of distributing them evenly over three points of the feet, the entire weight of the body must be borne by the phalanges of the fingers and the forefoot, for which this load is unusual.
• The center of gravity moves forward. The spine adapts to new conditions. He bends unusually at the waist.
• There is a compensatory reaction to the lumbar curve: The spine also arches in the thoracic region.
• Violation of the natural position of the spine leads to change of position internal organs and blood circulation.

Negative changes also occur in the legs themselves. Redistribution of the load literally knocks your shins out general work muscles. Over time, they become flabby and weak. This leads to disruption of blood flow, stagnation, contributing to the development of varicose veins.

Are heels and pregnancy compatible?

What about during pregnancy? The situation is getting worse.

In addition to physiological problems, the banal aspect of safety should also be taken into account. It is impossible to walk in heels in ice and rain without posing a threat to the baby's health. Yes, in normal weather, a thin stiletto heel that forces your foot to balance creates a risk of twisting your ankle or dangerously falling.

What shoes should an expectant mother choose?

Despite the dangers of wearing heels, doctors do not urge people to abandon them completely. And when asked whether pregnant women can wear heels, they answer: yes, but special ones.

Instead of high heels, choose:

• heel height 3-5 cm- he will provide correct position feet, will become a competent prevention of flat feet.
• wedge heel - it supports the foot in a natural position, and from the back it looks exactly like a heel.

Doctors do not advise going to extremes, preferring running sneakers instead of your favorite shoes. The former, like ballet shoes, pumps and other low-slung shoes, stimulate flattening of the foot, causing the development of flat feet. If such shoes are comfortable for you, during pregnancy, complement them with an orthopedic insole with arch support.

And don’t forget about heels during early pregnancy. As long as your tummy is not heavy, wear them with pleasure. At the same time, always have more comfortable shoes with you in case your feet get tired. In the evening, pamper your feet with a warm bath (temperature up to 38°C) and a light massage.

When walking, the muscles and tendons of the legs work like springs: by stretching, they take on part of the load and store energy for the next step. But if the foot is raised onto a high heel, these springs become blocked, and the foot is deprived of its natural capabilities. The load on your legs increases several times!

When putting on high-heeled shoes, a woman does not think about the position of her body. The point of support changes imperceptibly; instead of the whole foot, the woman rests only on the toe, and this reduces stability and weakens the ligaments of the foot and ankle joint. The load on the spine changes: the center of gravity shifts forward; trying to maintain balance, the woman leans back, an additional bend appears in the lower back, and this leads to curvature of the spine and possible displacement of internal organs. Tension in the muscles of the legs, pelvis and lumbar spine increases. As a result, certain troubles occur - heaviness in the legs, poor circulation, and as a result - varicose veins, the development of flat feet.

How does a heel harm the expectant mother and baby?

Hormonal changes occurring in the body of a pregnant woman cause the ligaments to relax, making them looser. Weight increases and the load on the muscles and blood vessels of the legs increases, and, as a result, the risk of developing flat feet and varicose veins increases. That's why< каблук >can lead to serious problems:

Standing up on high< каблуки >, a pregnant woman, first of all, exposes herself to the risk of dislocations, falls and displacement of the vertebrae during sudden movements (after all, the spinal ligaments are now weakened!), swelling and pain in the lower back, and cramps in the legs appear.

Stretch marks and saggy belly

Because the center of gravity is moved forward, the stomach “bulges out” even more, that is, the muscles and skin are stretched, and the stomach sags. The result is hated stretch marks and severe weakening of the abdominal muscles (the notorious “leather apron” after childbirth).

Malposition

Due to a shift in the center of gravity, the child may take an incorrect position - gluteal or transverse, which can lead to a caesarean section.

Threat of miscarriage

Severe tension in the leg muscles, increased load on the spine and hip joints can increase the tone of the uterine muscles, which threatens miscarriage.

Heel rules for pregnant women

So maybe we should give up altogether?< каблука >and switch to fashionable ballet flats? But you shouldn’t go to extremes, and for this reason: a flat sole leads to flattening and widening of the foot, and therefore to the development of flat feet. Therefore, to maintain health and beautiful shape legs during period< беременности >you need to wear wide shoes< каблуком >or a stable wedge 4–5 cm high.

However, there are times when you really want to show off in high-heeled shoes (especially if it’s the first trimester and< беременность >not yet visible). In this case, follow some rules:

· try to stay in such shoes for as little time as possible (two to three hours);

· buy shoes at< каблуке >half a size larger, and it is better if they have a wide toe and a fastener (tie) around the ankle;

· after you take off your shoes, do a little exercise for your feet: draw letters in the air with your socks - this will help restore blood circulation, roll a bottle with the middle of your foot, and pick up small objects with your toes on the floor. Lie down on the sofa, place your legs on an elevation: this will promote the outflow of blood from the legs, reducing swelling and stress on the veins;

· Contrast foot shower will relieve fatigue and improve blood circulation.

Many pregnant women are interested in the question of whether pregnant women can walk in heels. Most expectant mothers with experience will say that this should never be done. Let's figure out why this is so, and whether there may be exceptions.

High heels during pregnancy

If you look closely at the gait of pregnant women in the last weeks of their term, you will notice that when they walk or stand, they arch their backs. It's all about a shift in the center of gravity due to a greatly enlarged uterus. Now imagine what will happen if this woman wears stilettos. In such a situation, all the weight will move to the toes, as a result of which you can easily fall.

The influence of heels

At a minimum, wearing heels can lead to back and leg pain, swelling, cramps, varicose veins, flat feet, spinal curvature, etc. In addition, during advanced pregnancy it is simply inconvenient to walk in heels. Therefore, you should choose shoes with wide and stable heels no more than 4-5 centimeters high, but not with completely flat soles, because they also provoke the development of flat feet in this case.

As for the platform, pregnant women can walk on it if its shape corresponds to the physiological curves of the foot and is not very high. A high platform is no less dangerous than a high heel, as you can twist your leg.

But don’t despair, because during the first trimester of pregnancy, heels are not contraindicated. Of course, you shouldn’t wear these shoes all the time, but you can still wear them for a couple of hours. The main thing is that they are comfortable.

A woman tries to look impressive in any situation. Being pregnant, many ladies are tormented by the question: can pregnant women walk in heels? Some girls cannot imagine their life without elegant dresses and high stilettos.

Should heels be worn during pregnancy?

High heels perfectly complement slender legs and give light for woman charm. But even for healthy women, this type of shoe is not recommended to be worn for a long time.

Effects of high heels on the body:

• The fulcrum changes;
• Deformation of the feet occurs;
• Pressure on the veins of the legs increases;
• Blood circulation in the pelvic organs deteriorates;
• Diseases of the veins and joints appear;
• Limbs swell.

Negative consequences are extremely undesirable for a pregnant woman, especially with weight gain and stress on the heart muscle.

Experts say that wearing heels during pregnancy is not advisable. Expectant mother exposes your body to additional stress and stress.

The exception is the 1st trimester, provided that the pad is comfortable and stable and you do not stay on your feet for long periods of time. In the early stages, a woman’s weight increases slightly, and a modest tummy does not affect the spine and center of gravity.

Over the course of 3 months, a woman will be able to gradually switch to a different type of shoe and choose an appropriate wardrobe to match it.

Answer to the question: why shouldn't pregnant women wear heels?

From the 2nd trimester you need to give up high heels. Wearing such shoes will negatively affect blood circulation, impairing oxygen access to the fetus, causing discomfort and the risk of various diseases.

Why pregnant women should not wear high-heeled shoes:

1. A rapidly growing belly changes the center of gravity of the body. The gait will become less attractive, and in later stages it will even become “duck-like.” The woman will simply look clumsy.
2. High heels reduce the elasticity of the abdominal muscle, and a large tummy under its weight will stretch the skin, causing stretch marks.
3. When wearing heels, there is a high probability of changes in the position of the fetus. In case of breech presentation, doctors will recommend a caesarean section.
4. Walking in heels always causes vibration in the body; the foot cannot naturally soften the vibrations. The uterus becomes toned and there is a threat of miscarriage.
5. High heels are extremely unstable, and during pregnancy, due to hormonal changes, ligaments and joints soften and weight increases. The risk of falling increases several times. If earlier it was possible to get away with a slight fright or bruise, then in the situation we are already talking about the baby’s life. A woman should not fall at any stage of pregnancy.

For existing diseases of the veins and joints, wearing high shoes may aggravate the condition and give rise to complications of the pathology. In the later stages, many women experience swelling in their feet; heels contribute to the progression of swelling and can cause harm.

When asked whether it is possible to wear heels during pregnancy, any specialist will give a negative answer.

Alternative to heels: can pregnant women walk on platforms?

When looking for an alternative to heels, girls prefer high platforms. These shoes visually lengthen your legs and look impressive. These shoes have their pros and cons.

Danger of platform shoes:

1. A flat sole fixes the foot in one position and when walking, the foot cannot naturally roll from heel to toe. In this position, when wearing shoes for a long time, the lower leg muscles become overstrained and the feet do not work. Blood circulation is disrupted, the spring and shock-absorbing function of the foot is weakened. The result is: varicose veins, arthrosis, deformation of the knee joint.
2. Despite its apparent solidity, the high platform is extremely unstable. Any stone or unevenness on the road can lead to a sprained leg.
3. When walking on a platform, the load falls on the forefoot, as a result it can become deformed, and the absence of a groove in the middle of the sole can lead to flat feet. An additional burden will be the pregnant woman’s shifted center of gravity and increased weight.
4. Wearing the platform for a long time has a negative impact on your posture.

The advantage of this model is its spectacular appearance and lack of sensitivity to surface topography. Winter shoes on the platform will additionally protect your feet from the cold ground, this is the only benefit of this model.

If preference is given to this shoe option, you must adhere to some rules:

• Do not take long walks in shoes;
• Choose a platform no more than 8 cm;
• Buy shoes with thick straps that tightly secure the foot;
• Wear orthopedic insoles.

The best option would be wedges on a low platform with an anatomically shaped insole.

How to choose the right shoes during pregnancy

What shoes are best to wear during pregnancy? Modern fashion offers a wide range of different shoe models. A pregnant woman needs 3 factors: practicality, convenience and elegance. You can look stylish and attractive without high heels and a fashionable platform, the photo is proof of this.

When going shopping you need to consider some factors:

1. Shoes should be comfortable, stable and lightweight.
2. Preference should be given to natural materials, leather, suede, cotton.
3. The model must fix the foot well to prevent dislocations.
4. It is better to choose closed shoes with a round toe; in case of swelling, they will not squeeze or squeeze your toes.
5. Summer models must be ventilated and contain perforations;
6. Winter shoes with a wide and low top will help avoid compression of the veins and stagnation of blood.
7. The textured sole on the boots will prevent slipping in winter.
8. The height of the heel should not exceed 5 cm.
9. Simple and convenient fasteners will allow you to put on your shoes independently in the last stages of pregnancy. Lacing will make this process lengthy and problematic.

Wearing ballet flats is just as harmful as wearing platform shoes; a tummy and heavy weight can lead to the development of flat feet.

If you are planning a special event, it is better to take 2 pairs of shoes. After the main ceremony, you can change your feet into comfortable shoes that will allow you to move and dance freely.

Expert advice: can pregnant women walk in heels (video)

High heels during pregnancy are not always comfortable. For this important period, it is better to choose more comfortable shoes that will reduce the load on your feet and maintain the health of mother and baby.