It's best to avoid activities with a high risk of falling – especially in the last trimester. Shoveling. Call this a pregnancy perk. We generally recommend that pregnant women avoid heavy lifting, and shoveling snow also can exacerbate lower back pain, which is a common complaint in the last half of pregnancy.
Avoid shoveling snow, hot tubs, and saunas
In addition to avoiding heavy lifting, pregnant women should not shovel snow, as it can cause lower back pain. In addition, do not indulge in hot tubs or saunas during the early part of the pregnancy, as the high heat has the possibility of leading to birth defects.
Mopping, washing clothes, cleaning the floor and other chores which requires you to bend is not recommended during pregnancy. Pregnancy weight gain can cause a marginal shift in the body's centre of gravity and bending during this time can be risky for the sciatic nerve (runs from the lower back to the leg).
Is it safe to clean floors while pregnant? The quick answer: yes. Most general housework is safe for pregnant women. In fact, light, physical activity is encouraged by doctors.
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.
A common recommendation is to not lift objects heavier than 20 pounds during pregnancy.
Heavy lifting while pregnant can put extra strain on your back and pelvic floor muscles. Avoid lifting anything heavier than 5kg to 10kg during your first and second trimester. In your third trimester, limit the weight of objects you lift to 5kg or less.
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.
In general, as with physical activity during pregnancy, most cleaning chores that you were doing regularly before your pregnancy will be fine to continue once you are pregnant.
But it's important to be aware of symptoms of overexertion in pregnancy and make sure you aren't overdoing it. Overheating is one risk, and symptoms like dizziness, a headache, or chest pain while working out can signal a health problem or pregnancy complication.
Even in your third trimester of pregnancy, bending is still considered safe for your baby. You'll probably find it becomes increasingly difficult for you, though, if not impossible. Apart from your extra body weight, the size of your belly is increasing.
Get someone else to do the shoveling this winter – call it a pregnancy perk. You might be fine in the first few months, but as your bump gets bigger, your center of gravity shifts. That plus icy ground increases the likelihood of slips and falls, which could hurt you and endanger your baby.
How much you can do depends on your pre-pregnancy fitness ability. (But you will want to be careful of your footing; if it's especially icy, stay indoors.) The New England Pregnancy Center recommends shoveling slowly and taking plenty of breaks.
Avoid undercooked meat, poultry and eggs
During pregnancy, you're at increased risk of bacterial food poisoning. Your reaction might be more severe than if you weren't pregnant. Rarely, food poisoning affects the baby, too.
Try using moist towelettes or baby wipes to gently clean the area after bowel movements. This can be more gentle than dry toilet paper. Be sure to pat — not wipe — the area dry after bathing or making a bowel movement. Excess moisture can cause irritation.
Dental cleanings are safe during pregnancy and help keep your teeth and gums healthy. Brush and floss. Good daily care helps prevent gum disease and tooth decay. Brush at least twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste and clean between your teeth with floss every day.
The first trimester is the most crucial to your baby's development. During this period, your baby's body structure and organ systems develop. Most miscarriages and birth defects occur during this period. Your body also undergoes major changes during the first trimester.
It's not ideal to move furniture or other heavy objects while you're pregnant. Studies of pregnant women at work have shown that lifting heavy objects can increase the risk of miscarriage and preterm birth.
Therefore, pregnant women can work 40 hours a week if the working conditions are safe for them to do so. If a pregnant employee begins to work over 40 hours a week and is subject to a lot of stress, it could be harmful to their health and the health of their unborn child.
Risks of Heavy Lifting During Your Pregnancy
For some women, lifting heavy objects can lead to an increased risk of premature labor and low birth weight. Lifting an object incorrectly, whether heavy or not, can also result in a pulled muscle. A potentially severe complication from heavy lifting is a hernia.
Certain uterine conditions or weak cervical tissues (incompetent cervix) might increase the risk of miscarriage. Smoking, alcohol and illicit drugs. Women who smoke during pregnancy have a greater risk of miscarriage than do nonsmokers. Heavy alcohol use and illicit drug use also increase the risk of miscarriage.
The deadlift is a functional movement and should still be trained throughout pregnancy, but we may need to modify it based on comfort and accommodating for the belly. Each of these modifications is not mandatory based on trimester and should be explored based on your individual pregnancy.