Dr. Marjorie Greenfield
Specializing in pregnancy and birth.
|
|
 Ask Dr. Greenfield
Lifting and Carrying during Pregnancy | | | QUESTION | | | Dear Dr. Greenfield,
Now that I'm pregnant, everyone says I shouldn't pick up my two-year-old. Practically speaking, that is impossible. Medically, is there any reason
not to, or is there a time during your pregnancy that it is more risky?
— Pregnant with a Toddler in Ohio | | | ANSWER |
September 28, 2000 | | | Dear Pregnant with a Toddler,
All of the admonishments not to lift in pregnancy come from concerns over you hurting yourself, not you hurting the baby. During pregnancy, ligaments are soft and joints are less stable. It is easy to get an injury. In addition, because your center of gravity is shifted, it is easier for you to fall. In general, it is best to let your child to climb up on you rather than lifting him up from the ground. But as you say, practically speaking, lifting a toddler can be impossible to avoid. If nothing else, you need to be able to rescue your child from dangerous situations! At least you can be reassured that there is usually no significant risk to your fetus under these circumstances.
Also, please see our articles on back pain and back exercises in pregnancy.
— by Marjorie Greenfield, M.D. |
|
