Meghan Markle Weighs In on Stiletto Debate During Pregnancy After Shoe Choice Sparks Controversy

In her recent podcast, Meghan Markle talked about the challenges she faced wearing high heels during her pregnancies with Archie and Lilibet, which sparked debate among viewers.

In the most recent episode of “Confessions of a Female Founder,” where she spoke with friend Sara Blakely, the founder of Spanx, Meghan, who is 43 years old, commended the entrepreneur’s new venture into comfortable yet stylish high heels.

Mrs Blakely, hailing from Clearwater Beach,
Florida
, earned the title of the world’s youngest self-made female billionaire thanks to the success of her underwear line and is now aiming to design a comfortable stiletto heel.

Speaking to the
Duchess of Sussex
In today’s podcast episode, the duo exchanged tales about uncomfortable footwear that causes pain and restricts movement. Meghan specifically mentioned her difficulties with such shoes during her pregnancy periods.

The Duchess shared that she gained 65 pounds during her two pregnancies,” and went on to say, “And you’re wearing those five-inch pointed heels.

You have such a large bump, and those skinny ankles of yours are struggling with the high heels. Since most of my weight was at the front, I couldn’t figure out how you weren’t toppling over or faceplanting.

‘I held tightly onto my husband, praying not to lose grip.’

The Duchess of Sussex encountered some backlash for wearing high heels during her later stages of pregnancy, as certain medical professionals expressed concerns about the risk of falling.

During her eighth month of pregnancy, Meghan stepped out wearing stiletto heels. When questioned about how she was managing, she humorously replied, “One day at a time.”

Specialists caution that issues with balance can arise during the later stages of pregnancy. This complication is exacerbated by hormones like progesterone and relaxin, which cause muscle and ligament relaxation throughout the body, thus increasing the likelihood of rolling an ankle.

In March 2019, as Meghan neared her due date with Archie, who is now five years old, midwife Claire Chaubert shared with the Mail, “During pregnancy, all of your ligaments become more flexible, causing your body to lose its typical alignment.”

However, Meghan appears at ease wearing high heels, which is familiar territory for her. I’d advise any pregnant woman who chooses to wear high heels to make sure they do so only as long as it remains comfortable.

She mentioned that since Meghan is an avid yogi, she might have been able to maintain her balance in high heels for a longer period compared to the typical pregnant woman.

She stated: ‘Individuals who practice yoga frequently often possess a significantly enhanced sense of balance, along with improved muscle control and strength.’

The College of Podiatry suggests that expectant mothers opt for comfortable and supportive shoes, ideally those with adjustable features like Velcro straps or laces. They advise against wearing high heels because these can add extra stress to joints that are already strained during pregnancy.

In her discussion with Ms. Blakely, Meghan mentioned that Archie, who is five, and Lilibet, who is three, are both doing fine. These children, largely shielded from public view at their residence in Montecito, California, continue to stay away from the spotlight.

She pledged to send Mrs. Blakely family photos, adding: “They have really grown.”

They also talked about launching enterprises in a male-dominated field, where Ms. Blakely mentioned, “I couldn’t find many women to consult; basically, I had none… There weren’t really any other female entrepreneurs within my circle whom I could discuss my business strategies with.”

Discussing her experiences in boardrooms filled with men, she playfully remarked, “It’s akin to being Jane Goodall, except I’m watching men in their natural environment rather than chimps. They often act as though I’m not even present.”

Meghan stated: “Many believe that you must attend Harvard Business School, amass significant wealth, and gather top talent to succeed in business… This often leads you to doubt your own potential.”

Many women, in particular, are conditioned not to discuss finances, and there’s often a significant sense of guilt associated with possessing substantial wealth. At the same time, it’s common to adopt a mindset of scarcity, believing that one will always lack sufficient resources.

She expressed her happiness about partnering with Netflix, following reports by MailOnline that the streaming company had indeed agreed to a new contract with the Duchess, which includes producing a third season of “With Love.”

It is reported that the second season has already finished shooting.

Meghan stated, “I have a significant other. Initially, I planned to handle everything alone, but I made a complete change of direction because I genuinely support what Netflix and their Consumer Products division are achieving.”

However, it is a distinct experience compared to when you do it alone. When you solely rely on yourself, I believe there are two aspects at play. It can be immensely freeing or alternatively, it can feel extremely isolating.

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