Fitflops while preg, do they help with back pain?

[champagnesupernova]

And are they a bad idea? Their official website says "as with all medical conditions check with your obstetrician before buying fit flops"

Erm, I don't have an obstetrician afaik. My maternity notes say consultant's name "not given"

And REALLY can't imagine a busy NHS consultant taking me seriously if I rang up and said "hi I wanna buy a pair of sandals."

Just wondered what the MN verdict on them are.
TIA

[nymphadora]

I'm pg and live in mine. They do def hel with joint probs , I have bad knees and they are so much better.

There is an element of instability in them , I've never had any problems but have heard of others. I've been wearing them for a couple of years now so am probably used to them

[champagnesupernova]

i'm 20 weeks and haven't worn my MBTs at all during this preg, do you think it's a bad idea to start now??

[barkfox]

I love my fitflops but like nymphadora, live in mine and have done for a couple of years... and my birkenstocks....

I think personally with any of the 'unstable' shoes like fitflops and mbts, they do take a bit of getting used to, and tend to slightly stress joints and muscles in a new way (which is pretty much the point of them) -

Which would make me a bit cautious, only in the same way that I wouldn't take up a new form of exercise during pregnancy. Pregnant bodies constantly readjust themselves because of changing weight distribution, and hormones like relaxin, so they have a fair bit to cope with anyway, IMO.

That said, there's no point being overcautious! I tend to wear my fitflops round the house like slippers in the summer - I'm sure if you limit yourself to short periods to get used to them, and don't go off on any long hikes straightaway, you can see how it goes.

(Love the idea that an obstetrician could be rung up about shoes. As if.)

[saucetastic]

I wouldn't start wearing MBTs and/or fitflops during pregnancy if you haven't worn them before.
I wore MBTs two years previous to becoming pregnant and had an awful time with them half way through pregnancy - my ligaments just couldn't cope with it any more. Cue spd like pain. I was going to physio for a year after pregnancy to gain back stability. My physio said the combo of relaxin, mbts and tempura mattress was no good for me.
However, could just be me!

[MrsBadger]

yoga works better

[japhrimel]

Thanks for the info. I live in Reef flip-flops during the summer but need a new pair and was considering getting fit-flops instead. I won't now as I have major joint and pelvis instability issues already. I find my Reefs comfy but am very used to them.

[Jane054848]

I would say fitflops are very different from MBTs - MBTs do a lot more to your gait than fitflops do (hence they are 1/5 of the price!) I had back probs and achilles tendon problems in my first pregnancy when I didn't wear them, and none this time around, although I admit a sample of one isn't very scientific.

[champagnesupernova]

Jane = were you wearing your MBTs or fitflops??

[sedgiebaby]

I'm using the Avon version of fitflops (they were on offer for £10 this month and carry no health warning IIRC) because I suddenly had to give up heels due to SPD, and flat dress shoes were jarring my body also. I'm really pleased with them they are just giving me cushion and support and absorbing the shock when I walk so I've got another for the house. I bought other cushioned flip flops but they are not as good. These I'd say they are as good as my specialist fit mega expensive (pre-preg) running shoes in terms of comfort.

I'd recommend them as a summer shoe whilst pregnant (with SPD also) as they are giving me some support without changing my gait as MBT's do (have tried these) and fitflops may (have not tried)

ps I'm not a avon agent lol!