Why no heavy lifting?

[Anonymous]

Can someone tell me the medical reason why pregnant women are not supposed to lift heavy items?

Is it because they're afraid you'll just strain your back or something? Or is there an actual risk to the baby?

I ask because I (perhaps stupidly) helped move a couch last night, that was heavier than I anticipated... Is there a real risk to the baby from doing that? And would I have any indication if something was wrong?

[Anonymous]

the first thing that comes to my mind is that we're out of balance so we can fall and hurt both ourselves or the baby.
also the muscles on your core are all stretched up so the risk for injury increases.

[Anonymous]

I'm in my third trimester and try not to lift heavy things. But I have 2 other kids who like to be carried now and again. Sigh...

I just listen to my body and don't overdo things. If it doesn't hurt or strain me, I feel like I'm fine.

[Anonymous]

You are probably fine, but be careful in the future. The risk to the baby only exists if you injure yourself and need surgery, medication, or just lose muscular strength as a result of recovering from that injury.
I had to stop lifting the @#$% laundry basket for a while because it was too heavy and I sprained my knee - believe me, I knew at once
Went to yoga to strengthen my core, knees, etc, and now at 37 weeks can lift the laundry basket again. Yipee (not).
Your ligaments/tendons are much more supple than usual and also under strain of your heavier weight. That is why proper posture is absolutely necessary - otherwise a killer backache is waiting for you. Also engage all the appropriate muscles as you lift something or exercise, so that the muscles help protect the tendons at the joints. Move slower to allow your new body shape to find its balance.
If you really listen to your body and take care of it, you can continue lifting weights and moving furniture!

[Anonymous]

I also lift heavy things, you just have to do it correctly (knees bent, lift with your legs).

[Anonymous]

I don't know the medical reason, but my fear is that I'll strain a muscle that I'll need for pushing/ delivery.

[Anonymous]

My understanding is that doing so can a)strain your back (and others have noted the importance of proper posture and lifting techniques; b) potential stress on the cervix, which can cause a whole host of problems. That being said, I wouldn't worry about this incident, but I wouldn't do it again. One friend went on a trip and didn't think hauling around a heavy suitcase was a big deal since it had whels...and hey, what's a lift or two up and down for just a moment. She landed on best rest with a weakened cervix for the rest of her pregnancy.

Better safe than sorry.

[Anonymous]

I always thought it was because if you lifted something heavy and that resulted in a hernia, you couldn't get the hernia repaired due to the pregnancy.

[Anonymous]

I moved furniture during both pregnancies. I was more careful because of the relaxed joints and was fine.

[Anonymous]

I have to say that when my OB told me that I should not do squats or lift anything over 25 pounds, I could not resist laughing out loud. How do you think pregnant women who live in less developed countries manage; do they just stop life daily activities just becasue they are pregnant. The carry their children, work on their farms, carry produce to and from markets. We need to stop treating pregnancy like it a disability (unless there are actual medical complications). It really ironic, but during my first trimester I had nausea for every waking hour and only time I got real releif was when I was working out in the gym (yes, I was during squats and lifting weights).

[Anonymous]

I'm not sure, but during my first pregnancy, I had some light spotting during my first and second trimesters. The two times it happened was after pushing very heavy furniture. Each time, my OB asked me if I had engaged in a strenuous activity. Turns out that I had a marginal previa, which may cause spotting. Not sure what the relationship is between all those things if any... however, I always wondered if I caused the spotting by the pushing.

[Anonymous]

It's because, when you lean over and lift a heavy object, you initiate a Valsalva maneuver and thus can potentially break your water and send yourself into labor (primarily in the third trimester).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Can someone tell me the medical reason why pregnant women are not supposed to lift heavy items?

Is it because they're afraid you'll just strain your back or something? Or is there an actual risk to the baby?

I ask because I (perhaps stupidly) helped move a couch last night, that was heavier than I anticipated... Is there a real risk to the baby from doing that? And would I have any indication if something was wrong?

I always laugh at this...how in the world do those of us pregnant with #2 or #3 (or more) suppose to pick up their young toddlers?

[Anonymous]

I wouldn't lift/push heavy things while pregnant. I knew someone who tried to move a piece of furn. while preg., and the baby was premature because of it.

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My mother claims she went into labor with me at 35 weeks because she moved a large dollhouse for my sister. Who knows.