The Duchess graciously detached her trapped heel
The Duchess of Cambridge, who is almost six months pregnant, has been keeping up her royal duties in line with her fashion and beauty choices; lovely coats, perfect hair and, of course, showing off her admirable pins in many a high heel.
Only a few days ago, gracefully done so, the Duchess was photographed detaching a heel of her shoe which became trapped in a street grate, and the picture has sparked new debate of whether expectant women should be wearing heels during pregnancy.
The MailOnline reports that doctors in the U.S. have warned that mothers-to-be could be putting their unborn babies at risk by wearing stilettos or shoes with high heels. Beverly Hills Podiatric Surgeon Stanley Orwasher told ABC News: “When you're pregnant you're going to change the centre of gravity... Fall over you're going to hurt yourself and hurt the baby.”
And it seems that he is not the only professional concerned by this issue. Though, high heels are befitting for many celebrity women, those who are well into their third trimester, are still parading in sky-high footwear for red carpet events and even 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....
These mums-to-be should take note from doctors who are settled on the matter that women should avoid high heels and step away from stilettos during pregnancy.
Pediatrician, Jennifer Shu, advised in a Q&A on Babycenter.com that wearing heels during pregnancy is a bad idea. She said: “Wearing high heels (even wide-based, clunky ones) is not a good idea during pregnancy.
“That's because your weight increases and your body shape and centre of gravity change, making you walk differently (and less steadily).
“A fall during pregnancy could hurt you and possibly your baby, so think twice before adding height to your growing girth.”
But what about those saying ‘it’s up to the pregnant woman if she wants to wear heels or not?’
Well, OB-GYN Catherine Lynch, in the same Q&A said that it is all about comfort when you’re pregnant and that those who are expecting should opt for more comfy heels if they are intent on wearing them.
In answer to the question ‘is it safe to wear high heels when I’m pregnant’, Catherine said: “Yes, but it may not be comfortable. And as you get further along in the pregnancy you'll probably want to go to a lower heel, because your centre of gravity will be constantly changing and walking in heels will be harder to manage.
“Usually at about 25 weeks I recommend going to a lower heel, especially if you're having a lot of back pain.”
Though the professionals have spoken, it seems that the recent group of A-list celeb mums-to-be may be giving into image pressures and putting fashion first, over their own, and their unborn child’s safety and health.
Stars like Kim Kardashian, Jessica Simpson, Rachel Zoe and even the queen of high fashion, Victoria Beckham, have all been seen in towering shoes, sandals, boots and wedges – you name it, they’ve worn it – all during pregnancy. The ex-spice girl even suffered a slipped disc in the latter stages of her fourth pregnancy – now if that’s not warning enough then I don’t know what is!
But, it remains to be said that many of these top celebrities don high heels for special events, rather than, say, a trip to Starbucks or on the grocery shop.
Lorraine Jones, from the UK's Society of Chiropodists and Podiatrists, warns in the MailOnline that pregnant women should not strive to mimic the A-listers choices, as seven in ten British women have suffered foot problems in pregnancy, including swollen ankles and feet, and foot arch and heel pain.
She tells MailOnline: “Many of the pregnant celebrities you see wearing high heels in magazines are attending events so, like them, try to keep your high heeled, high fashion shoes for a special occasion and stick to a more supportive shoe 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.”
Despite expert opinions and advice, the truth of the matter is that women, pregnant or not, should wear shoes that make them feel comfortable.
However, with the constant photographs of celebrities and models, looking picture perfect in heels, many may feel certain pressures to keep up with the fashion trends. Indeed, we have seen this image conscious factor among expectant reality TV star Kim Kardashian who has been working out and photographed in high heels in almost every picture since she became pregnant.
The brunette beauty has been overworking herself and even faced a health scare after recent travel from Paris to L.A, again she’s pictured in high heels at the airport and after visits to the doctor too, and Kim’s aunt has said that her niece may even consider a tummy tuck after giving birth – image conscious or what?
Like Kim, wearing heels may be the only way a woman feels sexy and confident – but is this superficial need important enough to sacrifice the well-being and safety of a pregnant woman and her unborn child?
Tell us your thoughts on this issue in the comments below or tweet us @FemaleFirst_UK