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Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

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Original poster

Please tell me why it is that we are not allowed to lift heavy things?

18 replies

Caz10 · 31/08/2007 21:54

I am 25wks and have to occasionally lift quite heavy things at work. I know that we are not meant to, and most often I can avoid it but sometimes I can't.
Is the danger to the baby, or to us because muscles etc are all weak and stretchy?
Obviously I don't want to do myself any damage either, but would feel less concerned about it if I knew the risk wasn't directly to the baby!

Thanks!

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

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SlightlyMadShockwave · 31/08/2007 21:55

It is because your muscles are strecthed by baby I think.

It is Health and Safety's responsibility to ensure that you don't have to lift anything heavy I think.

puffylovett · 31/08/2007 21:55

IMO mainly to you - lifting things can give you piles !!

So I was told, and so i developed...

I'd stop lifting things - have they not done a risk assessment ?

mumzyof2 · 31/08/2007 21:57

Im not sure really, i think it will have something to do with you pushing down on your muscles or something, like when you poo (sorry to be vulgar!) Still, youve got me wondering.

Desiderata · 31/08/2007 21:57

I don't know exactly, but my MIL miscarried at 27 weeks back in the '60s. She worked in a shop and had to lift heavy sacks, etc.

Previous two pregnancies, no problems. No history of miscarriage in the family, either. It was the direct (and almost immediate) consequence of lifting a sack of flour.

Kbear · 31/08/2007 21:58

...in case you do yourself a mischief, as my Nan would say!

coleyboy · 31/08/2007 21:58

Your body creates a hormone that allows your tendons to stretch more than usual to accomodate baby. Which means you are at higher risk than before of doing yourself a mischief!

Original poster

Caz10 · 31/08/2007 22:14

The lifting is not exactly part of my job as such, I am a teacher so really don't HAVE to lift anything, but our planning files etc are massive and at this time of year I am taking home at last 5 full ringbinders every weekend. Just carrying them out to the car, but still. It's a small school, so often there's not anyone around to ask for help.
Desiderata's story is exactly the kind of thing I worry about, but I don't know how else to get my work home. Poo. Think I might go onto Lakeland and buy one of these granny trolleys....

OP posts:

ThursdayNext · 31/08/2007 22:26

I don't know, it's an interesting question.
It would seem like a design fault if we couldn't lift the weight of a toddler without any problems?

Original poster

Caz10 · 31/08/2007 22:31

Thursdaynext that was my thought exactly. This is my 1st pregnancy, but fingers crossed I hope there will be another one in a few years, at which point I will have a small person to carry around with me! The big plastic tub I haul in and out of school most days probably weighs about the same as a 2-3yr old!

OP posts:

didsnbump · 31/08/2007 22:34

I wondered the samething myself up till wednesday, my collegue at work rearranged our office for us, and i helped move all of 2 printers, and dint move them far. Come a few hours later i had very bad back pain and couldnt walk very well.

I have since been to the docs and have done fortunatly only a small amount of damage to my back as the musles there are so relaxed from being pg!

So dont lift heavy objects or ya may find yourself stuck in bed with a bad back!!!

MrsCarrot · 31/08/2007 22:35

Your body is full of relaxin, the hormone that allows the bones of your pelvis to stretch and separate for birth I think. This means that all of you is more prone to injury.

sarahloumadam · 01/09/2007 07:07

I'm a teacher Caz and work provided me with a box on wheels. My students laughed at me (they didn't know then that I was pregnant) but I just said I had a bad back. It is hard not to lift stuff, balance on chairs to turn projectors on, lift tables and chairs etc cause you feel pathetic but I quite enjoy having people carrying things for me now - I am becoming quite Queeny about it! Enjoy it while it lasts!

flightattendant · 01/09/2007 07:11

I was reluctant to give up lifting etc. as being single and in midst of nesting, it was very hard not to move furniture! But I always hurt afterwards, it wasn't worth it really...first time round I was still riding my motorbike at 7 months, one time it fell over and I had to lift it...that was a bit silly

Yes, it's because your hormones make everything stretchy and loose, damage to ligaments and muscles is more likely.

Go easy!

estobi1 · 01/09/2007 07:21

I am 32 weeks pregnant with number 2 and my body is telling me not to lift anything. As you progress you will get heavier and you wont want to in any event. I am sure the information about lifting on this post is correct but listen to your body and don't take an unnecessary risks it is not worth it and your employers won't thank you for it.

I had a small tear of my stomach muscles carrying dd (perfectly normal) and I can feel it now if I overstretch of carry anything heavier than I should. I don't even pick my daughter up now (she is 2 and a half) unless she is hurt (or in danger, obviously). she sits on my lap for a cuddle.

I had a bleed at 27 weeks just from a strenuous walk so just take it easy it is not worth it. My pelvic floor is strained and stress incontinence is an issue and therefore I can only recommend sit down and put your slippers on!

Hope it all goes well xx

Chirpygirl · 01/09/2007 08:07

I am 35 weeks and DD is 18 months, I do still have to pick her up to put her in her chair/trolley whatever but it does take a hell of a lot more effort and I need to stop and have a little breath afterwards! It is possible, and I can carry her for a bit but I have pulled muscles more times than I care to rememebr this pregnancy because of it!

I have found that putting her in a sling on my back helps distribute the weight though so that's how she normally gets carried if I have to!

Original poster

Caz10 · 01/09/2007 08:40

Thank you so much everyone. I've ordered a box with wheels, I just hope it can cope with stairs!
I think I am feeling a bit reluctant to "slow down" - don't have a big bump, and have no other aches/pains/piles so far. But am slowly realising that if I want to stay that way I will need to take better care of myself!
It amazes me though - every other non pregnant person is very quick to tell me I "shouldn't be lifting heavy things" - I wonder if they know why not, when we are not sure ourselves!

Thank you again!

OP posts:

Gill79 · 05/09/2007 13:20

In this book by Vicky Iovine - www.amazon.com/Best-Friends-Guide-Pregnancy/dp/0747533253/ref=sr_1_9/002-2075104-9344019?ie =UTF8&s=books&qid=1187605245&sr=1-9
she says that weight lifting can cause small tears in the placenta, which caused bleeding. However she was doing actual weight lifting when pregnant so this is quite an extreme case.

It's a good read by the way.

Luxmum · 05/09/2007 14:09

Ohhh, don't lift things, esp at work, your boss is not allowed by law to let/make you lift things whilst preggers. It can cause the placenta to tear away (or something similarly icky and painful) and IS a direct risk to the baby - it could die i believe -so really take it slow and make sure you take full advantage of any sympathy from co-workers. I was banned in very explicit terms by my Dr from lifting or walking too far etc, as I had placenta prevaea.
It's basically dangerous, so stop and use some of the man-muscle who work with you (I am presuming..). You're going to have to learn to take it easy as sooner or later the weight of the baby and the stress it puts on your body will catch up with you and you'll just be knackered. Sorry, but it's true. Am 38 weeks and walking to the fridge from the sofa is now a chore for me..!!

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