During pregnancy, why is it so important not to bend over or lift in the last trimester?

Question

No one at work will let me do any bending over or lifting and I mean light lifting, like a ream of paper. Can anyone explain this phenomenon?

Answer 1

your not supposed to lift anything too heavy or bend too much because of the cord. your baby is "floating" around in there and the cord could get wrapped around her neck or something. sorry to scare you, i didn't mean too. lifting paper is fine, but people like to take care of pregnant people, they feel obligated.

Answer 2

Bending can be dangerous because your center of gravity of is off and you could take a tumble. Heavy lifting can be dangerous because much of lifting comes from your abdominal muscles. During late pregnancy, those muscles are already way stretched out and the hormone relaxin (the keeps your uterus from contracting) also makes your muscles more prone to injury. And the last thing you want to do before delivery is pull an abdominal muscle. I pulled a muscle about 3 weeks after my c-section and wound up in bed for another two weeks.

That said, a ream of paper should be fine. The general rule for lifting, especially after having a baby is to lift nothing heavier than your baby. People just like to take care of pregnant women which is probably why your co-workers are acting the way they are.

Answer 3

It's called paranoia. Lifting won't hurt you as long as it's not something truely heavy to you. God knows I've lifted a 30lb child a zillion times while pregnant and nothing happened except on occasion I'd pull a muscle and it would hurt. Same with bending. If it hurts don't do it otherwise just tell people to relax. They tend to get all bent out of shape around pregnant women afraid that they'll be made liable for something so they overreact. That being said, the average max weight you should lift while pregant is like 40lbs due to the extra stress on the uterus and it could cause you're uterus to actually fall out of the correct place....especially right after birth so that's why they always say "don't lift anything heavier than your baby" but just use good sense and listen to your body and you'll be fine.

Answer 4

You can hurt yourself badly

the risk of heavy lifting in pregnancy is not injury to the baby but injury to the mother. Pregnancy hormones cause your ligaments to soften, which helps your pelvis widen to make room for childbirth. As a result of having softer ligaments, your joints may be less stable than usual and injury may be more likely.

Heavy lifting also can put stress on your back, leading to intermittent or ongoing back pain. Here are several ways to minimize the chances of hurting yourself while lifting something heavy

Answer 5

They're just wanting to mother you. I worked a job where I had to bend and lift with my second baby, right up till 2 weeks before the due date, and he came out fine.

Answer 6

all the trimesters are significant, although because of the newly springing up structures that must be affected, the 1st trimester is a very comfortable time. this is the time that the reproductive gadget and neurological gadget are springing up. the 1st trimester is likewise the time that fetal abnormalities can ensue. it rather is after this time that the well being care provider will verify in case your toddler has developed ideal.

Answer 7

Sometimes people go overboard when someone they work with is pregnant. They only are showing that they care. Has your dr said no lifting or bending over? How do you feel? I always felt great in my 2nd & 3rd trimester.

Answer 8

I think it's mostly an old wives tale. But, just enjoy the fact that people are looking out for you and doing the heavy lifting for you! It won't last long! My mom told me that, and I asked my doctor, and they said that people used to even say not to lift your arms up above your head because it could cause a miscarriage.

Answer 9

ive never heard that before when i was pregnant with my son i lifted what i felt comfortable with lifting and i could bend over to get stuff all i want even tho the tummy makes it diffcult too!

Answer 10

The hormones of pregnancy soften the ligaments of your lower back and pelvis, so heavy lifting should be avoided to protect your spine. you can make use of your thigh muscles when lifting. i hope this answer your question.