My job consists of me being on my feet for 8 hours. I do have time to sit down but not for very long. So far all this walking and standing has resulted in very little weight gain. How do I prevent swelling as I soon will be entering the 3rd trimester? Also, how much does walking help to ease the labor process?
2007-08-05 02:00:18 · 6 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Pregnancy
Walking and stay active will help when it comes time to labor. The only problem with being on your feet for 8 hour stretches is swelling and fatigue.
Ask if you can sit more often with your feet up...even if its just 10 minutes here and there. That swelling nearing the end of your pregnancy is normal..but man it is tiring too.
Drink as much water as you can stomach. It really does help.
Also being on your feet may cause some spider veins to form on your legs. The excess blood in your circulation has to find new routes and little veins form causing ugly red and blue spider veins. Normal, but ugly.
When you go home at night..put your feet up and stay that way a good hour.
2007-08-05 02:07:30 · answer #1 · answered by GayLF 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Exercise during pregnancy does ease the labor process (from what I have heard and read). I had a co-worker who exercised everyday until the day she went into labor - and her labor was super fast. Not sure if there was a correlation but it was her first (if I remember right - the baby was born in 3 or 4 hours from the start of labor).
Talk to your doctor - do they have any concerns about you being on your feet for that much each working day? The best thing to prevent swelling is to keep your feet up - so you could also ask at your work if there are other jobs available for you during your 3rd trimester. If not - you may want to consider taking a leave of absense for your health!
But really - I would talk to your doctor - he/she knows your situation during pregnancy the best (besides you). See what they think and ask about all the risks and concerns involved.
Hope that helps and good luck!
2007-08-05 02:12:07 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
My job is similar. I am 33 1/2 weeks pregnant and I do get the swelling you mentioned. The only way to ease that is to elevate your feet when you get home. Its going to happen regardless of if you are on your feet all day or not. Its just worse when you are on your feet. If you doc says its ok to continue working then there is no need to go on maternity leave right away. This is my first, but my family and friends that have had babies tell me that walking is great for helping to ease some discomforts in labor and to help speed it up. Good luck!
2007-08-05 02:09:55 · answer #3 · answered by MIPerson 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I worked 4 days a week until 34 weeks with 2nd preg and put on half amount of weight as first. I felt so much more healthier and well. Just make sure that you are sitting frequently even if only for a few minutes. Drink lots of water as this actually helps with fluid retention. And eat lots of healthy food to compensate for the amount of exercise you are getting. You don't want to lose weight. Use a footspa at night at home to ease any swelling of the feet and get hubby to give you a massage if you don't have one. Elevate your legs too at night/day when you can and prop pillows between them when sleeping.
I found my 2nd labour and delivery much easier as I walked heaps more before and during actual birth. I didn't actually lay down until last hour of delivery and it only took 9hrs start to finish.Gravity has a lot to do with labour and delivery.
1st was twice as long and i was stationary for a lot of it. Walking is proven to help speed labour along for most women. Its tiring but I also felt like i didn't want to sit down. Its easier when contractions come to stand too.
I recommend going on maternity leave at least 4 weeks prior to due date. This gives you time to slow down a bit and conserve some energy. It will go quickly and is so worth it if you afford to financially. Plus you get to 'nest' before baby comes, which is so much fun!!
2007-08-05 02:18:08 · answer #4 · answered by Cindy; mum to 3 monkeys! 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Maybe transfer to another department where you don't have to stand for so long - standing for long periods is really not good for pregnant ladies - it causes varicose veins and hemmoroids - not nice!!! Or maybe go on maternity leave early, or give up work until the birth- relaxing alot helps you and baby prepare for the birth and will mean baby will be healthier.
2007-08-05 04:07:33 · answer #5 · answered by lazygun_99 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
take time off you should be going on maternity leave this can leave bad veins out your legs because of you not relaxing and can strain on places that shouldnt be straned... x
2007-08-05 02:05:34 · answer #6 · answered by saleena 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋