lifting heavy things in early pregnancy

[alondonmum]

Does anyone have the lowdown on how much lifting is ok in early pregnancy? I'm in v early pregnancy, a bit older and not that fit. Have this (probably irrational) fear that heavy lifting might put strain on abdomen and make me miscarry. I'll be in a situation where I may have to lift some tables and chairs. What do you reckon - is this ok? I've heard it's not good for mother's back etc but that's not I'm worried about, just miscarriage fear...

I you're not confident.don't lift it.

I was hoiking all sorts around at all times but I'm an arse.

In very early pg not a lot can happen. I lugged ds in his buggy up and down lots of stairs until I was about 10 weeks. I think I also read somewhere that heavy lifting is, according to one study, not associated with mc. However, I would still try and make sure you're not doing the lifting on your own. (Pg hormones also make joints etc. more vulnerable to injury, I think).

Don't lift anything.
Definitely no housework.
Lots of chocolate.
Every whim to be obeyed immediately and unquestioningly.
Well, it's worth a try.......

I was always under the impression it was lifting anything out of the normal heavy. Lugging bags of sand or concrete slabs around unless you do this on a daily basis anyway, I also agree that I thought it was due to your ligaments and muscles being far more suseptible to a strain injury than whilst not being pregnant.

Golden rule, just be careful, if you do have to lift something and can not get help or someone to do it for you then lift it correctly. benzy knees and all that.

It's not so much the strain on the abdomen I would worry about, but the preggy hormone (I think it's relaxin, but don't quote me) makes it a lot more likely that you will pull a muscle.

Every time I have done something slightly over strenuous in this PG and the last I have pulled something, so I would not lift things because of that!

Don't want to scare anyone, but I know someone who miscarried after picking up her older child. Might've been a coincidence, but who knows?

Anyway, my take on heavy lifting... isn't that what men were invented for?

Thanks all. It's a hard one, I don't want to look like I'm not pulling my weight. I suppose I'll end up lumping the gear but I won't try to be superwoman. xx

I wouldn't risk it myself.

It is not worth the risk - for the sake of a few weeks, take it easy. I am 10 weeks pg with number 2 and I had a nasty bleed 2 weeks ago. I know that this happens in early pg and everything is fine. However, I am trying to lift my daughter as little as possible and my mum is insistent on doing my ironing and hoovering. I feel awful about this and it is so difficult to watch her but why risk it? Your baby is much more important than embarrassment about asking for help. Anybody who cares about you will think the same I am sure.