Every time an expectant celebrity steps out in sky-high heels, it makes instant headlines. Sometimes it’s because the mom-to-be looks so chic; other times people imply that her precarious footwear is somehow endangering her innocent unborn baby.
It turns out that elevating your heels doesn’t impose any intrinsic danger to your joints or ligaments. But it’s your already-compromised balance that can and should be cause for concern, especially in that pesky third trimester, when your center of gravity is way off and you’re more likely to fall. “Early in pregnancy, heels aren’t a problem,” adds Hilda Hutcherson, MD, clinical professor of obstetrics and gynecology at Columbia University Medical Center. “They’re really sexy and all of that, but by the third trimester wearing super-high heels can cause back strain and pain. And yes, there’s a risk that you could trip and hurt the baby.”
So strut with (careful) confidence early on, but trade the stilettos for some cozy flats as your due date approaches. You’ll be safer and more comfortable.
Expert: Hilda Hutcherson, MD, clinical professor of obstetrics and gynecology at Columbia University Medical Center and author of What Your Mother Never Told You About S-e-x
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