Is It Safe To Bending Over During Pregnancy?
6 min readWritten by Pradeep
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 yourself and the unborn baby’s well-being.
However, 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?
In This Article
- Is it Safe to Bend Over During Pregnancy?
- Is it Safe to Bend Over in the First Trimester of Pregnancy?
- Is it Safe to Bend Over in the Last Trimester of Pregnancy?
- What is the Correct Way to Bend During Pregnancy?
- 3 Precautions While Bending Over During Pregnancy
- 4 Tips to Good Posture For Pregnant Women
- FAQ’s
Is it Safe to Bend Over During Pregnancy?
Well, technically, it is safe to bend 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 its position by moving its 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.
Is it Safe to 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.
Is it Safe to 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 expose 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 it 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 strains your already weakened spine and back muscles. This means it could bring about some muscle pulling and pain. And who wants an extra pinch of pain on 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.
[Read : Natural Remedies For Heartburn During Pregnancy]
What is the Correct Way to Bend During Pregnancy?
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.
3 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:
1. Never Lift Weights
Don’t lift and hold a heavy weight during pregnancy. It can cause more strain on the back muscles, and it also shifts the center of gravity, thus increasing the risk of a fall down.
2. Take a Squat Position if You Want to Lift Something
You want to lift or take the object present on the ground. Instead of bending your back, it is better to bend your knees, and get into a squat position and pick up the thing. This will decrease the chance of you falling down and also reduce exertion in your back also.
[Read : Squats During Pregnancy]
3. Take it Slowly
It is best for you to be careful when getting up from the sitting position. Don’t get up in a jerky 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.
4 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 a straight line. Shoulders should be set back. Always keep your feet in the same direction by giving your weight on both feet. Wear low-heel footwear to decrease strain on your body.
[Read : Standing For Long Hours In Pregnancy]
2. Sitting
While sitting, keep your shoulders in the setback position, and your spine should be straight. Your bottom should touch the seat. You can also use some small, rolled towels to support your back. While getting up, move to the front of the seat, straighten your legs slowly, and then stand up.
3. Sleeping
Lying down on your stomach or back should be avoided. These portions keep a strain on your back and heart and also reduce blood flow to the placenta. The left side sleeping position increases the flow of blood to your important organs and also to the baby in your womb. Use comfortable pillows and a firm mattress to sleep during your pregnancy.
4. Driving
While driving, use support for your back and keep your knees at a higher level. Adjust your seat in a comfortable manner so that your belly should be at least 10 inches away from the steering of the 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!
FAQ’s
1. Can I Bend Over and Exercise While Pregnant?
Yes, as long as you follow the right form. Have a professional teach you the exercises. This will avoid wrong postures.
2. Can I Bend and Lift Things When Pregnant?
Initially when your belly is small, you can. As your belly gets bigger, you need to reduce. Squat and lift things instead.
3. Can Bending Over During Pregnancy Hurt the Baby?
No, it won’t. Baby is safe within the womb behind multiple layers. You might however lose balance as pregnancy progresses.
4. When Should I Avoid Bending Over During Pregnancy?
Avoid bending over in your third trimester. Your center of balance will be off. You may not be able to hold yourself like before.
Read Also: Falling During Pregnancy
Pradeep,
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