Safe lifting techniques, whether it is a box or toddler, dictate a woman should bend at the knees, not the waist, to pick up an object. When it is time to lift and carry a toddler while pregnant, it is important the woman's back remains as straight as possible and the weight is lifted with her legs only.
Whether you should be lifting during pregnancy or not is a question for your health care provider, but the general rule of thumb is to let someone else do it for you. Women who are at risk for premature labor may need to stop lifting objects after the first trimester.
If you need to pick something up from the ground, don't bend from the waist. Instead, bend your knees, keep your back straight and pick it up from a squat position. The same method is recommended for lifting heavy objects. Remember, however, lifting anything during pregnancy should be done with extreme care.
One common recommendation is to avoid lifting anything heavier than 51 pounds in your third trimester, and anything heavier than 31 pounds in your last week of pregnancy. If you already have a toddler you need to carry, you should be in the clear – toddlers typically weigh between 15 and 38 pounds.
A common recommendation is to not lift objects heavier than 20 pounds during pregnancy.
Prolonged standing or heavy lifting can cause an increased chance of miscarriage or preterm delivery (premature birth). Changes in a pregnant woman's hormones impact ligaments and joints in the spine to accommodate the developing baby.
It's best to avoid lying on your back, especially in late pregnancy, when the weight of the heavy uterus can press on the large blood vessels in your belly. When lying on your side, keep your body in line, with your knees bent slightly, and avoid twisting.
Carrying a toddler during pregnancy is usually fine for most pregnant women, and sometimes there's no way around it for moms.
Bend at the knees, not at the waist. Keep the load close to the body, lifting with the legs — not the back. Avoid twisting the body while lifting.
Background. Many physicians advise pregnant women to sleep on their left side. Previous studies have linked back and right-side sleeping with a higher risk of stillbirth, reduced fetal growth, low birth weight, and preeclampsia, a life-threatening high blood pressure disorder that affects the mother.
“It is because siting crossed-legged puts the pelvis in an asymmetrical position, which can cause uneven distribution of weight on the legs, leading to discomfort and strain.
The quick answer: yes. Most general housework is safe for pregnant women. In fact, light, physical activity is encouraged by doctors. With floor care, concerns are raised with moving heavy objects or putting extra stress on a mother's body.
While you might feel okay in the early months to mop and vacuum, you may end up having pain later in the pregnancy. So, when cleaning the house while pregnant, we recommend being more careful with your back and avoiding this task later in your pregnancy, unless lower back pain isn't something you're noticing.
Protecting Your Health
It's particularly impactful during pregnancy when the body is making incredible transformations. Though women may think a backpack is a better alternative than a heavy purse, a pack on your back can compound the stress placed on your spinal system from the pregnancy.
Researchers have discovered babies as early as 21 weeks gestation show a response to their mother's touch from the outside. In this study, researchers used ultrasound and watched fetal movements and heart rate increase when the belly was rubbed.
It is recommended that pregnant women stand for no more than four or five hours while taking frequent breaks throughout the workday. Since pregnant women's feet are prone to swelling, it is more important to listen to your body and give your feet the rest that they need.
After 26 weeks: There should be no extended work hours, with a 40-hour week being the maximum for the employee/patient. No travel further than 50 miles is allowed.
The main factor to consider is your overall health, which can depend on what you do for a living. In most women, working until your due date is safe for both you and the baby. It can even be beneficial and help keep you active during pregnancy.
Some research has found that being on your feet for long periods can reduce your baby's growth rate and increase the chances of preterm delivery. If you're already at risk for these conditions, your provider might recommend that you avoid prolonged standing.
Keep the anus clean by wiping carefully or using a squirt bottle after each bowel movement. Gently wipe from the front to the back. Baby wipes or hemorrhoid pads are usually more gentle than toilet paper. If you use toilet paper, use only soft, undyed, unscented toilet paper.