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Medical Video: What Happens If You Carry Something Heavy While Pregnant
As the content increases, over time you may no longer be able to do activities that you used to do alone. These body changes naturally occur, but also raise questions about the safety of lifting heavy objects during pregnancy.
Is it safe to lift heavy items while pregnant?
One change that occurs in pregnant women is the shift of the body's gravitational center which tends to be forward. Not only that. Increasing the hormone progesterone during pregnancy causes the muscles and joints of the hip to become loose and relax. Lifting heavy objects when pressing down on the pelvic floor, and because the uterus and fetus inside the pelvic floor are in a pressing position, so this puts more pressure on the lower back, making the muscles and lower joints more prone to cramping and sprains.
The combination of shifting the body's center of gravity and changes in the body's support system makes your body less stable, so you will be easier to lose balance. Unstable body balance can put you at risk of injury and fall that is greater, especially coupled with lifting heavy items during pregnancy. A serious fall accident is not only harmful to your safety, but may also be risky for the baby.
Several studies have shown that frequent lifting of heavy items during pregnancy can slightly increase your risk of having a miscarriage or a low birth weight baby. Another study found that lifting a burden of more than 10 kilograms during early pregnancy was associated with an increased risk of preeclampsia. But there are also many other studies that show conflicting results. Women who are at risk for preterm labor may especially need to stop lifting heavy objects after the first trimester.
Whether or not a mother can remove heavy items during pregnancy is a question that you must ask yourself to your obstetrician. As a general rule, it is better to ask for help from others to raise it for you. If indeed the situation and conditions require you to lift heavy items while pregnant, try not to lift items that are heavier than 9 kilograms even if only briefly. Do not also carry a load of 5 kg continuously.
Tips for lifting heavy items while pregnant
However, doctors can loosen the limits of this rule especially if you are used to lifting heavy items before becoming pregnant. But, always try to be careful every time you lift heavy items while pregnant, especially as the gestational age continues.
Here's a safe way if you have to carry a child or lift heavy items while pregnant:
- Reach items by crouching to bend your knees, do not bend at the waist. It is important to keep your feet shoulder-width apart and your back as straight as possible when you squat (buttocks and backbone parallel to the floor).
- Slowly, lift the object with strength resting on the knee. Then, push your body up slowly with your feet.
- Don't make sudden jerking movements while lifting things. When lifting, breathe through the mouth so that the stomach is flat and the pelvic floor contracts.
- Hold the load as close to the body as possible.
Also pay attention to your distance when lifting heavy items while pregnant. Short distances are not a problem, but long distances or if you have to climb stairs with a heavy weight should ask someone else to help you. The burden on the pelvic floor should not be added anymore. One possible severe complication due to careless lifting of a heavy item during pregnancy is a hernia, aka down in a lay language.
