There is nothing that lifts the look of a dress like a pair of stilettos. But while not many stylists would ask you to retire those Louboutins, the one time you could perhaps give them a break is when the stork comes visiting.
Celebrities and celeb-wives who are pregnant have been spotted wearing at least three-inch heels to various events. Shahid Kapoor’s wife Mira, who appears to be in her third trimester, was spotted in stilettos at Preity Zinta’s reception. The stilettos did enhance her look, but doctors warn against this trend.
Wearing stilettos during your pregnancy not only puts unnecessary pressure on your spinal cord, but it also could put the baby at risk. “When women get pregnant, the body’s centre of gravity changes. Someone who is not used to walking in high heels won’t be able to balance herself. Even for those who are used to wearing high heels, they can’t do so for a long time, because it will eventually get uncomfortable,” says Dr Rooma Sinha, senior consultant gynaecologist and robotic surgeon at Apollo Hospitals, Jubilee Hills.
Shahid Kapoor with wife Mira who was spotted with stilettos
For those in the glamour world, especially actresses and models, this could get very difficult. Model Noyonika Chatterjee, who is also a mother, says she avoids wearing heels. “Sometimes, when it is for work, you can’t help it. The actresses at Cannes film festival can’t help but wear heels because that is the requirement of the event. I feel that if you need to wear heels for just a few hours or for a special event then it is fine. But, I tried to avoid wearing heels when I was pregnant. Even otherwise, I prefer going out in flats,” says Noyonika.
“High heels are better avoided during pregnancy because they fail to support the feet properly and your feet can twist. This can cause a muscle pull or a sprain. Also, you may experience a burning sensation in your feet because of the excess strain,” says Dr Pranathi Reddy, senior consultant obstetrician and gynecologist at Rainbow Hospital for Women and Children.
For someone who has been a model and a designer, Shilpa Reddy from Hyderabad, who has a son, knows how important high heels are. “Having walked the ramp, I do know the importance of high heels. But when it came to my pregnancy, I made a conscious decision to stay away from it. I did not want to take any chance with the health of my baby,” she says.
