Pregnancy is a wonderful time, though it has its own shares of triumphs and challenges. Yet, most pregnant women and mothers would agree that they would not trade anything for their time being pregnant. No wonder pregnancy is a time when you are at the vigil to guard your and the baby’s well-being, but the advice that keeps on coming from well-meaning friends and family could leave you confused and utterly boggled. With so much going on in the body, have you wondered if you are squishing your baby when you are bending over during pregnancy to do some chore or to pick something up? Let’s get there.
Is It Safe To Bending Over During Pregnancy?
Bend Over In The First Trimester Of Pregnancy
Bend Over In The Last Trimester Of Pregnancy
What Is The Correct Way To Bend In that time?
Precautions While Bending Over During Pregnancy
Tips To Good Posture for pregnant women
Is It Safe To Bending Over During Pregnancy?
Well, technically, it is safe to bending over during pregnancy, and it would not cause any harm to your growing baby. The baby is well-cushioned inside the womb, and the amniotic fluid enables the baby to change his position by moving his hands, legs, and feet as you change your position. Bending is very unlikely to squish or hurt your baby, though it could get increasingly uncomfortable for you to bend over when you are in the Later stages of pregnancy.
Bend Over In The First Trimester Of Pregnancy:
Perfectly alright, that is all we can say. The baby is still small and will not be affected by your bending in at all. Your stomach’s lining and the placenta are more than enough to safeguard your baby from any harm that could occur as a result of bending. Rest assured, unless medically advised, and it is very well safe in the first trimester to bending over during pregnancy
Bend Over In The Last Trimester Of Pregnancy:
Though bending itself is safe, yet when you bend during the later stages of your pregnancy, there is a chance that you may trip or lose your balance and fall off. Bending may also be discomforting to you when your belly is big. Though the baby is well protected under the abdominal muscles, the uterine wall and the amniotic fluid, yet in the later stages bending over during pregnancy of exposes you to risks as listed below:
1. The risk of falling and tripping:
Because your belly is big and it may be difficult for you to strike a balance when you bend over, there is quite a substantial risk of you tripping and falling. Falling on the abdomen during the last stages of pregnancy can be dangerous as it can cause placental abruption exposing you to various complications. The chances of vaginal bleeding or a miscarriage or run high, and so do the chances of the uterine wall getting separated, which can be fatal. The risk of losing your balance and falling is high during the third trimester as the baby’s head drops into the pelvis and the body’s center of gravity also changes.
2. The risk of feeling dizzy:
When you are bending over during pregnancy, your blood rushes to your head, and this sudden rush can make you feel dizzy and lightheaded. Though dizziness by itself does not pose any danger to your baby, yet dizziness can make you prone to tripping and falling which can be detrimental to your growing baby
3. The risk of causing back pain:
As it is, with all the weight up front, many women continually endure back pain when expecting. When you bend over, your back gets weighed down by extra weight. Now, this again does not cause any harm to the baby, but it does strain your already weakened spine and back muscles, which could mean some muscle is pulling for you. And who wants an extra pinch of pain in the already troubled back, right?
4. The risk of heartburn:
Heartburn is a common pregnancy companion, frequently occurring in the final trimester. When one bends over, the pressure gets exerted on the stomach, and the acids from the stomach travel over to the esophagus. Acid reflux can leave you with burning pain, belching, and a bad taste in your mouth. For this reason, bending over during pregnancy may not be advised
What Is The Correct Way To Bend In that time?
If you have to bend over to do something while you are pregnant, you can do so safely by keeping the below points in mind:
- Bend and lower your knees, instead of bending and stretching your back
- Spread your knees apart and squat
- When you lift yourself up, use your thighs, legs, and hands instead of putting pressure on your stomach and the back
- If you have to lift something, align it with your baby bump to align the center of gravity. Make sure your feet are firm
- Never bend forward with your knees straight and by bending over your stomach
- Ask for help if you feel any discomfort whatsoever
Precautions While Bending Over During Pregnancy:
If you need to bend over during pregnancy for some reason, then you better follow these precautions given below.
- Don’t lift and hold a heavyweight during pregnancy. It can cause more strain on the back muscles, and it also shifts the center of gravity, thus increase the risk of a fall down.
- You want to lift or take the object present on the ground. Instead of bending your back, that better to bend your knees, and get to a squat position and pick ou the thing, this will decrease the chance of falling down and also reduce exertion on your back also.
- It is best for you to were taking care of when getting up from the sitting position. Don’t get up in a jerk way. Using your hands, thighs, and knees to get up at that time, keep your back straight to reduce strain.
With these precautions, while bending over during pregnancy, you may practice some safe body postures also at that time.
Tips To Good Posture for pregnant women:
A good posture for pregnant women can help to reduce aches and pains, and at the same time, it will reduce the strain on your back. Posture refers to the way you stand, sleep, sit, and drive. Here are some expert tips for it:
1. Standing
While standing, keep your head, neck, and back also in the straight line. Shoulders should set back. Always keep your feet in the same direction by giving your weight on both the feet. Wear low-heel footwear to decrease strain on your body.
2. Sitting
While sitting, keep your shoulders in the setback position, and your spinal should be kept straight when you are in a sitting position. But keep your bottom touches the seat back. You can also use some small, rolled towel to support your back. From sitting position when getting up, move to the front of the seat, straight your legs slowly, and then stand up.
3. Sleeping
Lying down on your stomach or back should avoid. These portions keep a strain on your back and heart and also reduces blood flow to the placenta. Left side Sleeping position increases the flow of blood to your important organs and also to your baby in your womb. Use comfortable pillows and a firm mattress for good sleep during your pregnancy.
4. Driving
While driving, Use support for your back and keep your knees with your hips or higher level. Adjust your seat in a comfortable manner so that your belly should at least 10 inches away from the steering of your car.
As discussed above, bending over during pregnancy is safe, and in no way will squish or harm your baby. However, in the later stages of pregnancy, it is advisable to exercise some degree of caution so that you do not fall off and hurt yourself. Happy Pregnancy!
