Lifting and Carrying DD whilst Pregnant

[CJ2010]

Hi, need a bit of advice/ reassurance please. I've just found out that i'm expecting DC2, DD is 11 months which means I am lifting her out of her cot and carrying her around a lot during the day. She is average size for her age but she feels heavy now in my arms. Perhaps i'm being a bit silly but im concerned that carrying DD around could cause harm to the baby inside? Not that there is anything I can do about it but I just want to know how other mum's with more than one child have got on whilst pregnant. I just want a bit of reassurance please.

To make matters worse I live in a flat with no lift, which means I have to carry DD & shopping up the stairs.

It may not be the best recommended thing to do but a lot of mums do it and there isn't really a way round it, so probably best not to worry too much. Obviously if you had bleeding or anything to show that you need to be more careful than normal then maybe try not to carry as much but otherwise im sure it will be fine? Hopefully once she walks she will need carrying less so will be easier. I had my first baby that didn't walk til 15 months and 2nd one was born when he was 17 months so i did a lot of carrying him around while pregnant and the 2nd one didn't seem to be affected in any way by it as he is perfectly healthy, now im having 3rd one and my oldest (now 2.5) for some reason started asking to be picked up and carried again, which is not like him so hopefully will not last, and 1 yr old always wants to be carried. both of them are heavy for their age too! but as you say there is nothing we can do about it really, they are still young themselves and do need lifting and carrying at times

My 2.5 year old wants to be carried a lot, and won't really go in the buggy either. I think women are designed to be pregnant and carry other children. That's why we have hips to prop a child on! As others have said though just watch things like back strain etc as your ligaments are softer but should be fine in terms of the baby.

Just wanted to add my voice to the 'don't worries' (unless you have a medical reason not to do it, you should be fine) DD is 21 months and I'm 31 weeks pg and have been carrying her throughout as she is going through a bit of a lazy/tantrummy phase while we're out! Luckily I have those hips that help and a very strong right arm, it would seem! :)

i've been carrying my (very large) 2.5 yo. around when needed. but not up/down stairs now that i am unbalanced( physically that is) but i think its a case of you gotta do what you gotta do. I'm 36 weeks now and had to carry dd home yesterday after she fell over in the snow. bump is still moving and hiccuping as ever so no harm done.

Hi Im a nanny expecting my first child. I look after 3 young children and at first really worried about lifting, carrying, them jumping on or kicking me, pushing double buggy around. Now I just take things as easy as possible but by lifting properly (bending knees etc) the excercise is probably quite good for you! Just also be sensitive with your older child and blame your bad back or sore arm for not carrying as much, dont say its cos of the baby or that might create resentment.

You won't harm the unborn baby, but your ligaments get softer in later pg which means it is easier to strain/pull something, especially when the bump starts getting in the way and making carrying awkward.

After my cs I wasn't supposed to lift ds1, but you try telling that to a small boy who wants to get into his high chair NOW. You just bend your knees and get on with life as a busy mum!