I'm starting my 4th month of pregnancy but I live on a farm how much can I still do?

Question

My husband works out of town so i mow(push) the 3 acer yard and feed all the cattle. The square bales I feed them way anywhere from 25-45 pounds. How long into my pregnancy can I lift these. I lift about 40 bales a day.

Answer 1

"What about pregnancy and farm animals?
Farm animals are known to carry listeria, campylobacter, salmonella, and cryptosporidium which may all cause problems for you and your developing baby. Removing yourself from the farm is not a likely solution, so here are a few helpful hints to create a safer environment during your pregnancy:

Do NOT participate in silage feeding
Do NOT handle stillborn animals
Only drink pasteurized milk
Do NOT drink untreated water; if you are using a well, have it tested for nitrate, coliform bacteria and other potentially harmful agents
Always wash your hands thoroughly with soap and hot water following any contact with farm animals or their living areas"

As for the lifting, I would consider hiring help as soon as possible. Its okay to lift things around 20-30, think toddler size, but past that its kind of pushing it...Good luck :)

Answer 2

As a 7mth pregnant mom on a ranch, I know where you are coming from. You should still be able to do most of the chores, however, lifting the bales of hay is too much in my opinion. Throughout all my pregnancies, my doctor made it very clear that I shouldn't lift anything over 10lbs. Another thing you need to think about is the heat. If you are going to be doing all those outside chores, then you need to take several breaks and drink LOTS of water. Mowing 3 acres with a push mower seems a little much but I think you could continue to do that as long as you break often. Be careful 'round the animals and if you're back starts hurting even a little bit, then that's your body telling you that you are doing too much! You have someone else to think about now so take all precautions you can. Good Luck and Congratulations!

Answer 3

this is a question for your Dr, but I would say that as long as you are used to it, it should not hurt you if you are careful. I had a friend that rode in a rodeo and rode her horse until she delivered. It just really depends on what you feel like doing though. If it gets to much, try breaking the bales in two and make more trips. I know that it will get to be an inconvenience, but the animals still need to be fed. If you can get someone to help, maybe a local kid OR something that might cut down some of the lifting on you. Check around and see if anybody needs a part time job in your area. Put up flyer's at the feed store or the local vet. Where are you located at?

Answer 4

According to my Dr, the majority of the 'pampering' should be in the first trimester. No horse riding, lifting heavy objects (more than groceries), running, etc. This is to help prevent a miscarriage. The baby isn't as implanted the first three months, but since you're past that, sounds like things went well for you! I would reccommend lifting the bales with your legs and really focusing on strengthening your back. You should still ride horses only when necessary, as your muscles and ligaments are trying to reshape and move to where they need to be. I've heard that if you keep your normal lifestyle in that aspect, that labor can be more difficult because your muscles are used to adapting to the movement on the saddle, and will be used to being flexed...? They are always finding new things. I advise that you use caution and listen to your body!!

Answer 5

I read that if your body is used to something, it's okay to keep it up(Unless your doctor says otherwise from complications) This is why you see pregnant women bowling etc.

You should NOT start anything new, do a lot of HEAVY HEAVY lifting, or a lot of bouncing around (jogging, running, horseback riding) But pushing feed, it should be ok, the 40 bales, probably not, but I did a lot of yard work while pregnant, so did my mother, it was fine.

They say to trust your body. If you are tired, rest.

Answer 6

Just be careful and take plenty of breaks. I wouldnt over do it tho. The rule of the thumb is if you are already used to it then you can continue to do it, but if this is new to your body then you shouldn't. I would be extra careful if you are throwing the bales of hay as this could probally the problem area of doing the farm work.

Back then the ladies helped and tended to the farm work!!!
Ask you doctor what he/she thinks. If you are high risk pregnancy then NO WAY~

Answer 7

3 acre yard w/ a push mower? This has to be an entire day job! A farm w/ no riding mower? I'd petitoin hubby for one, for sure! What are the cattle for if he is not there to assist w/ the feedings? Who takes them to be sold? But really, I wouldn't do this for much longer. Surely not past the 5th to 6th month.

Answer 8

I would stop lifting all heavy things as of today!!
As far as everything else that you do tell your OB/GYN and he/she will tell you your limitations and when to slow down!!!
Usually if you are in good physical condition and are not doing anything different than you were before you were pregnant and of course you are having a "normal" pregnancy you should be fine for awhile.. Like i said just check with your Dr.

Where do you get all the energy from????

Congratulations!!!

Answer 9

My doctor told me once I hit my 4th month to not lift anything over 10 pounds. I would seriously stop doing so much and hire help if you can.
maybe theres a kid out of school around where you live that you can hire to help for pretty cheap for the rest of summer?
Good luck

Answer 10

A my old job i had to lift boxes 30-40 lbs. over my head. I asked him if i need to stop. He told me its ok to do these thinks if you were doing them before you were pregnant. not too lift anything heavier then you would have before you were pregnant. But if you start to feel funny doing it then stop and rest a while.