Earth Shoes Offer Many Benefits During Pregnancy

Pregnancy Shoes

We have all heard the phrase, "If the shoe fits, wear it," but for many pregnant women, fitting into their shoes is not an option. Pregnancy presents a host of physical changes in a woman's feet, including swelling, "flat feet," and general pain and discomfort. Fortunately, wearing a healthy shoe like Earth can address several of these problems. "We receive e-mails all the time from pregnant women who find great relief from wearing Earth. Not only do their feet feel better, but our Kalso Negative Heel also helps them carry their new weight more easily."

The unique Negative Heel is a technology developed by Danish Yoga Master Anne Kalso . This design positions the heel slightly lower than the toe to promote a more natural posture with the head straight, shoulders rolled back and spine and pelvis aligned, allowing the back to form its natural arch. The Negative Heel differs from a heeled shoe that pitches the body forward and throws the pregnant woman's body off balance and strains the back even more.

"When the body is naturally aligned, the pelvis, which is the strongest part of the body, better supports the extra weight," explained Vern Aisner, director of marketing for Earth. "In fact, after wearing the shoes during pregnancy, many become Earth wearers for life."

Edema, which is the medical term for swelling of the feet, occurs when the extra weight of the uterus puts pressure on the blood vessels and causes circulation to slow down and blood to pool in the legs and feet. This, compiled with the usual fluid retention that happens during pregnancy, can result in pain and the inability to wear regular shoes. Because Earth shoes offer an extra wide toe box and several slip-on styles, with adjustability features such as straps and elasticized stretch gores, they are an excellent option for those suffering from this affliction. Earth offers wide widths in their most popular styles and colors.

During the last two trimesters of pregnancy, a woman's center of gravity shifts and she can lose her balance more easily. Earth shoes provide a flat and stable base on which to walk, making it a suitable shoe to wear when walking briskly for exercise, too. Even after the baby is born, the shoes provide the perfect foundation for a new mother who is often juggling a baby, a baby bag and a purse.

"'Foot fatigue' and flat feet are very prevalent in pregnant women, so I recommend a comfortable shoe with specific benefits and that also carries the American Podiatric Medical Association Seal of Acceptance like Earth," said Carolyn Siegal, Beverly Hills podiatrist and attending physician at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center. Siegal also recommends getting regular foot massages in conjunction with wearing "healthy" shoes during pregnancy.

Celebrity mothers who have embraced the Earth brand include Diane Lane, Jennie Garth, Mariel Hemingway, Keely Shaye Smith, Gwyneth Paltrow and Cheryl Hines.

For more information on the Earth brand, visit www.earth.us

This release is provided by Earth Shoes