Wearing heels in pregnancy - is it safe?

Kim Kardashian is the latest in a long line of pregnant celebrities to be snapped wearing skyscraper heels late in pregnancy.

And the pictures of her painfully swollen ankles reveal why many experts claim that these high profile mums-to-be are setting a bad example and expectant women should ditch the heels for the sake of their health.

It's one thing wearing high heels for a few minutes to be papped on the red carpet, and quite another to go about your day in them as usual - as the size of Kim's swollen ankles suggest she has.

High heels change your centre of gravity, alter the muscles your legs use to keep you upright and how you walk and tilts your entire posture, changing blood flow and putting strain on your feet as more your weight is supported by the balls.

[Essential tips for the healthiest pregnancy]

Now think of pregnancy - it changes your centre of gravity, posture, blood flow and weight distribution. Plus the hormones change the ligaments and muscles in the body, making them softer and stretchier. This helps when it comes to giving birth but means pregnant women are more susceptible to injury.

So combine the two and not only do you have a recipe for swollen feet, you've also got the ingredients of everything from an increased risk of toppling over to back pain.

Why do women's feet swell in pregnancy?

Oedema (swelling) is a very common experience in pregnancy. Its causes are partly obvious - gravity and extra weight add pressure to the legs and feet and cause them to swell. And partly due to an increased amount of fluids in your body, necessary to support your growing baby.

You may notice swelling in other areas of the body too as they retain this fluid.

Warnings to ditch the heels

Despite celeb trends, mums-to-be have been advised in the past to avoid heels, as well as unsupportive footwear such as ballet pumps and Uggs.

Lorraine Jones, from The Society of Chiropodists and Podiatrists, which reported back in 2010 on the pressure women feel to look glam in pregnancy, said: "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."

[Kim Kardashian's strange pregnancy wardrobe explained]

''Shoes like ballet pumps, flip flops and Ugg boots are also unsuitable for daily wear in pregnancy because they don't provide your feet with the necessary support.''

Maybe someone ought to send Kim some nice, supportive trainers for the final months of her pregnancy. And we hope Kanye is encouraging her to put those swollen feet up!

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