Experts are warning that pregnant women are risking their feet in the name of fashion by wearing the wrong types of shoe.
The Society of Chiropodists and Podiatrists polled a 1000 pregnant women and found that many of them regularly wore ballet pumps, flip flops, high heels and Uggs. But Lorraine Jones, a spokeswoman from the society, says that none of these shoes are suitable because they offer little support. The survey reveals too that half feel under pressure to keep up with the latest celebrity trends. Yet seven out of 10 women admitted to suffering from foot problems including swollen ankles, swollen feet and arch and heel pain while pregnant.
The society is urging women to wear supportive, wide fitting shoes to minimise discomfort and avoid long-term damage.
Podiatrist Lorraine Jones said:
"Weight gain and hormonal changes in pregnancy have a huge impact on the body. 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."
As a rule, women should opt for 3cm heels as they shift weight a little further forward on to the feet, which can help alleviate discomfort. 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, according to Lorraine.
June 2010 | 
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