Can picking up my toddler cause me to have a miscarriage?

Question

I was told that since I'm pregnant i shouldnt pick up my toddler, or do other things that i do everyday. I dont have someone that is with me everyday to do these things for me. i know that i shouldnt lift heavy things, but my b/f is out of town a lot working, and i have a household to run. i would like to know if i should wait for him to get home, even if it means putting things off for up to a week, or should i do what i can, within reason of course. i dont want to cause harm to my unborn baby, but my toddler needs help sometimes, and it requires me to have to pick her up. please give me some good advice

oh, i forgot, im nine weeks pregnant, and my toddler is 2 and a half, weighing about 35 pounds

Answer 1

Who told you not to pick him up and to limit activity?
I would only be concerned if your caregiver (doc/midwife) suggested this based on your own personal history and present health. If it was someone else, ignore them. Most pregnant women are perfectly fine doing anything physical that they did before they got pregnant.

Answer 2

The two main causes of miscarriage are Genetics, and/or the placents has not attached properly to the uterus. Lifting is not usually a factor. I had a miscarriage about a year ago, the baby had heartfailure at 17 weeks. Things happen but lifting, is not going to cause problems unless you are a high risk pregnancy due to problems with your uterus. So i would have to say no, lifting your toddler is not going to cause a miscarriage, otherwise there would never be a mother with two or more kids hehe. good luck hun

Answer 3

You said it. Do what you can do within reason. When the baby comes you aren't going to be able to pick your toddler up while your doing things with the baby and you aren't going to be able to assist with everything. Now is the time to help your child become a little more independent. Kids are heavy be careful.
One of my pregnancies was difficult and i was supposed to be on bed rest for 5 months. I lived alone and there was times when i absolutely had to do things. Sometimes there was just no getting away from it. But anything that really didn't need to be done was left for later or for someone else.
Just remember if it hurts or it is uncomfortable, don't do it.

Answer 4

Unless your actual doctor told you to restrict picking up weighted things such as your baby {still a baby now and forever} then you are fine. We as woman endure some of the hardest things, but it is later in pregnancy when you are huge, tired, starting early stages of labor that you will not want to pick her up so much. Right now though, ask your doctor about this and other things people are saying you should not be doing {you are not a fragile little doll your a mom! You have to do what you have to do} and they alone will give you the best answer.
Also listen to your body, if you pick her up and something does not feel right then set her down, if you are exhausted then listen to what your body is telling you. You will know your own body best.

Come visit an "on the verge of preterm labor, restrictions" mom with a 2 year old. She does it every day alone too.

Answer 5

Was there a medical reason you were told this? Did your doctor tell you this? If not, picking up a toddler won't cause a miscarriage. When I was pregnant with my third, my boys were 2 and 11 months, and I had to lug them everywhere, and trust me, I ended up overdue!

Answer 6

I was 10 weeks pregnant and had a 1 yo boy, who I carried around alot. I used to pick him up with the muscles in my arms and sometimes bent down and hugged him, lifting him with my leg muscles. I think the trick is to not use your stomach muscles.
Talk to your daughter, every time she has her arms stretched up for you to hold her, tell her that she is getting too big to carry and you don't want to hurt the baby. Apologise to her and give her a big hug, even if you're on the floor for 5 mins holding her.
Towards the end of my pregnancy I used to cuddle my son on the floor , because I found it uncomfortable to carry him. But I said sorry and explained that it's because a baby is in my tummy. My new son is 4 1/2 months old, no problems, and my oldest loves him and gives him cuddles now all the time!

Answer 7

I'm 33 weeks pregnant with a 37lb son who will turn 3 in May. Lifting your son is a risk and I know it's hard to get around it sometimes but there are ways to at least help you. When my son cries to be carried such as if he hurts himself or something I'll grab him by the hand and lead him to a place where I can sit down, that way when I hold him I'm not lifting his weight. He is resting on his knees on my lap. When it comes to bathing my son I'll have him sit on the edge of the tub (with my holding him so that he doesn't fall of course) and have him put on foot in the tub at a time so that he turns his body and gets in himself. With household chores do what you can. If you get tired take a moment to sit down and rest. It doesn't all have to be done at once, so break it down into pieces with constant breaks and make sure to drink lots of water. I do as much as I can and leave anything that's to difficult or requires heavy lifting to my husband.

Answer 8

I would say ask your dr/midwife. I was pregnant with my third and had a 4 year old and a 9 year old. I held my 4 year old alot but tried to do so only if I was sitting down..its probably best to love and cuddle your baby without putting stress on the new one. Also maybe start trying to get the 2 year old to walk around a little on her own...I know its a sad thought but soon when the new one comes she'll be forced to walk on her own...I always felt better starting the kids off during pregnancy instead of when the new baby comes...It makes it better for you and her...good luck

Answer 9

Oh, no thats just silly. My doc said those things were perfectly fine. Just do it carefully and you'll be fine! If she's a kickin' and stuff while you are picking her up, then don't attemp it, but really those things are fine, they advise against lifting, because if you hurt your back (which lifting atoddler wont do) labor can hurt more in your back, which I'm sure after one child you know is not so fun.

Answer 10

I am 5 months pregnant and have a 2 year old daughter that weighs 30 pounds. I was told by my doctor since my body is already use to me lifting my daughter a thosand times a day it wont hurt me or the baby. As long as your pregnancy is going well it is ok.