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).
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. However, if there is ever a time to take a break and consider moving some chores off your plate, it's definitely during pregnancy.
During pregnancy, don't do: Any activity that has a lot of jerky, bouncing movements that may cause you to fall, like horseback riding, downhill skiing, off-road cycling, gymnastics or skating. Any sport in which you can get hit in the belly, like ice hockey, boxing, soccer or basketball.
Due to weight gain from pregnancy and the added pressure from the baby, the sciatic nerve can get aggravated, and leaning over a mop or vacuum can make it worse. While you might feel okay in the early months to mop and vacuum, you may end up having pain later in the pregnancy.
Women should avoid lifting heavy objects while pregnant. However, if you are going to lift any object, it is important to exercise caution. For some women, lifting heavy objects can lead to an increased risk of premature labor and low birth weight.
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.
Avoid spray and aerosol cleaners when possible.
Ingredients that were found to be especially problematic included alcohol, ammonia, chlorine, glycol and glycol-ethylene, sodium hydroxide (caustic soda), acrylic polymers, and terpenes. The increased risk of asthma was not found when cleaners weren't sprayed.
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.
Your nausea and vomiting may be worse than ever: Morning sickness peaks around 9 or 10 weeks of pregnancy for many women. That's when levels of the pregnancy hormone human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) are highest (morning sickness is thought to be linked to rises in hCG and estrogen).
The do's during the first trimester of pregnancy include getting prenatal care and maintaining your health, rest and mental health; the don't include drinking alcohol, smoking, using drugs, eating dangerous foods and engaging in risky behaviors.
If you are pregnant and working, you may want to reduce or avoid: Stooping, bending, or squatting often. Lifting heavy objects from the floor or any location that requires you to bend or reach. Lifting overhead or reaching.
You can certainly overdo any physical activity during pregnancy, whether it's hyper-extending your joints in a prenatal yoga class or pushing yourself too hard in the lap pool. Even walking too much in pregnancy can incur potential risks, such as shortness of breath, strain and pain.
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. However, hardwood floor care doesn't need heavy vacuums—a lightweight mop or broom is sufficient for great results.
Pregnant women can consider climbing stairs. However, it should not be done regularly and those with a history of miscarriage or threatened preterm birth need to minimize it to ensure health.
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.
Yes, it's safe (and smart) to visit the dentist during pregnancy. Oral health care – including teeth cleaning, X-rays, pain medication, and local anesthesia – is safe throughout pregnancy. In fact, it's especially important to have regular dental checkups, cleanings, and any necessary treatments during pregnancy.
Also, the AMA guidelines do not differentiate weight limits with regard to duration of exposure. Lifting more than 23 kg (51 lbs) is permitted repetitively for the first half of pregnancy (up to Week 20) and intermittently through Week 30. Between Weeks 20 and 24, repetitive lifting up to 23 kg (51 lbs) is permitted.
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.
Take care when bending and lifting
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.
Don t be surprised if you develop a bit of a 6 weeks pregnant belly. Although your 6 week embryo is still well down in your pelvis, some women, especially those who've been pregnant before, seem to show much earlier. General abdominal distention is usually the cause.