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Is it possible to lift weights during pregnancy?

, medical expert
Last reviewed: 23.04.2024
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On the question of whether it is possible to raise the severity during pregnancy, at all times responded negatively. A modern woman is no exception. Despite the individual characteristics of the process, during the gestation of the child all women need to exercise caution and special care for their health - their own and the future baby.

Why can not you lift weights during pregnancy?

Two opinions as to whether it is possible to raise weights during pregnancy can not be. The prohibition is connected with the possibility of unfavorable for the mother of the consequences arising in the body under such an action. They are enough to explain why you can not lift weights during pregnancy.

  • The fragile female bones become even thinner when the fetus is born, because the body gives the calcium part to the growing fetus. Consequently, the increased physical exertion of the pregnant woman is not "on the shoulder." Especially vulnerable is the spine, which is subjected to maximum load, and this leads to a displacement of the intervertebral discs.
  • The changes also affect the vessels, in particular, their tone. The blood circulation is most violated in the lower extremities. If the situation is aggravated by systematic lifting of weights, the outflow of blood is disturbed, which leads to varicose veins. At the same time, oxygen and nutrient starvation of the uterus and other organs occurs.
  • When lifting weights, the press strains, the pressure inside the abdomen increases, and the uterus contracts. There is a real threat of miscarriage, especially if hypertension has been observed before.

The most dangerous terms - the first and last trimester, and in the risk group - women suffering from hypertension and ovulation of the uterus. It is necessary to remember: if after a physical exertion the stomach began to ache or spotting appeared, it is a signal to immediately call an ambulance for the pregnant woman.

What weight can be lifted during pregnancy?

Finding out for yourself whether it is possible to lift weights during pregnancy, a woman is looking for the answer to the following question: what weight can be lifted during pregnancy? After all, without this in our time is unlikely to do. If the pregnancy is not the first, and the break between them is small, then the mother at least has to take the older child in her arms. Not to mention traditional packages with products and other purchases for the family.

So, given that the growing embryo is already a weight in itself, the recommended weight of "extra" weights should not be more than 3 kg. Trained and used to work physically women are allowed to increase the load to 5 - 6 kg.

As the fetus increases, the weight to be lifted should decrease, that is, the longer the period, the less weight of gravity can be lifted. In the case of small children, it should be borne in mind that an active kid can accidentally push his mother or push his stomach, which is also undesirable during this period. A little secret: it is better to raise a child not from the floor, but from a sofa or chair.

If weight lifting is inevitable, it is important to know how to do this with minimal risk. Evenly distribute the load helps a special bandage for pregnant women. When carrying cargo, it is necessary to keep it smoothly, to bend less and not to rotate the body. Lifting a heavy object, follow these tips:

  • keep the body straight, legs bent at the knees, a little bend in the lower back;
  • Place your feet on a comfortable width;
  • Object grasp hand, knees and body straighten gently, calmly;
  • avoid sudden movements;
  • The load is preferably divided equally into both hands, this will support the spine in the forward position.

By the way, these recommendations are relevant not only in pregnancy, but also in a normal state.

Heaviness in late pregnancy

Pregnancy is not the period when the weak sex needs to demonstrate strength, even if this force, alas, is. Allow yourself at least now to be weak, without thinking particularly about whether it is possible to lift weights during pregnancy.

What happens in the human body when carrying loads and can I lift weights during pregnancy?

When the weight of the pregnant woman rises:

  • increased intra-abdominal pressure;
  • the diaphragm is squeezed;
  • internal organs are compressed, including female organs;
  • The pelvic floor musculature is under pressure.

When carrying the load, the compression of the spinal column increases, which affects the cartilage badly, and the ventilation of the lungs decreases. All this is extremely dangerous for the body, which responds to many factors more sensitively than in the pre-pregnancy period.

Raising the severity of late pregnancy, the future mother really risks also because during this period, an additional load can lead to the opening of the cervix. How this can end, a long explanation is not required.

The recommended maximum load is up to 5 kg. More precisely, no one takes it, because it is a subjective indicator, depending on various factors: the state of health, physical preparedness and weight of the mother, the course of this and previous pregnancies, and other individual characteristics.

How does gravity affect pregnancy?

Many women are wondering whether it is possible to lift weights during pregnancy. The topic is often discussed in women's forums, and it's amazing how lightly some participants feel about their condition and health. First they will do something dubious, and then they ask: was it possible to do this?

Research on "How gravity affects pregnancy", like practical experience, shows that you can not go to extremes. It is not necessary to become a patient and prirkat yourself for nine months of "doing nothing"; but also pretend that nothing has happened, the pregnant will not work either.

  • Lifting weights is one of the extremes, fraught with the most adverse consequences, up to the death of the fetus or premature birth. Especially difficult for those who are not accustomed to physical labor or sports loads. And if, after such an inadvertent action, a woman feels pain or sees blood, this means that she needs emergency medical care.

Handling of weights during pregnancy adversely affects the maternal organism: it overloads the spine, lower extremities, joints, muscles. In difficult cases, such loads can cause problems, which then have to be treated long and hard.

If a woman can not help a woman and she can not do without carrying a load, you should look for an adequate solution, that is, a middle ground. Namely: wear light bags, walk with them not far away and in comfortable shoes, because of it depends largely on the stability, comfort of the feet and the whole body.

Consequences of weight lifting in pregnancy

The most tragic consequence of weight lifting in pregnancy is the loss of a child. The woman is especially at risk in the first and third trimesters, so at this time one can not even think about whether it is possible to lift weights during pregnancy.

Why is that? There is a scientific explanation for this. In the first weeks, hypertension often develops, which can cause miscarriages and without additional loads. Lifting loads aggravates the situation and increases the threat of losing a child.

In later terms, when the body begins to prepare for childbirth, the uterus descends, and its tension can cause premature birth. Doctors warn of special caution in the period until the 12th and after the 22nd week.

There are less serious, but also unpleasant consequences. In particular, the mother increases the likelihood of many diseases, such as varicose veins, heart failure, inflammation of the veins, displacement of the vertebrae. For the fetus, the lifting of loads by his mother also does not pass without a trace: he suffers from a lack of oxygen, and in the worst case can be delayed development.

The safe weight that a normal pregnant woman can raise should not exceed 3 kg (in some sources - 2 kg).

trusted-source[1], [2]

Gravity at work in pregnancy

Even if the pregnant woman feels well, and there are no prerequisites for the worst, it is not recommended to move heaviness at work during pregnancy. Labor law does not accidentally restrict certain types or mode of work, and in general in the last months of waiting for the mother's child, maternity leave is granted. Although today many work longer and, fortunately, the work does not prevent them from giving life to intelligent and strong children.

The question is whether it is possible to raise the severity during pregnancy, especially relevant if there are health problems. In some cases, any work is contraindicated. These include a tendency to premature birth, delayed fetal development, pregnancy gestosis, bleeding at any time, placenta previa.

If the worker in the situation is in good health and cheerful mood, then it pleases, but does not relieve the need to facilitate her work duties. Pregnant can damage the work, which should:

  • lift and / or carry cargo;
  • long standing;
  • often tilt;
  • long stay in a sitting state;
  • to move on the stairs.

Such works are especially harmful in the late term. Standing on her feet, a woman does not just get tired, but risks getting swelling and varicose veins. If the job requires lifting weights, slopes, climbing stairs, then the internal and female organs are squeezed. Especially suffering is the uterus and the fruit contained in it. Heaviness stresses the spine, does not allow the lungs to breathe at full strength. All this creates a real threat of abortion.

The question arises: what to do, if by occupation are required to carry weights at work during pregnancy? First of all, after consulting with the doctor, you should discuss the situation with the manager for the purpose of changing the nature of the activity or job duties. If possible, alternate standing work with a sedentary, during breaks put your feet on the dais.

As a rule, a woman goes to meet her, because there is a law on her side, and an alternative tradition that says that future mothers should not be denied their requests.

Frozen pregnancy from lifting weights

The term "frozen pregnancy" means the fetal death of a fetus. This happens, according to statistics, in 15% of women who become pregnant, and it is not immediately clear to a woman that the situation has changed. Most often, this is learned only with the next US-study.

The vast majority of fetal fetal and miscarriages occur up to 12 weeks, although it happens later, including in the third trimester. If the pregnancy is frozen from lifting the weight (and this is one of the common reasons), it's too late to ask whether it is possible to lift weights during pregnancy.

To the same sad consequences can lead to excessive loads, falls, as well as a list of stressful causes and abuses. To prevent misfortune in the future, the fetus must first be removed from the uterus. If there is no spontaneous abortion, then medical methods of embryo removal are used. Up to 8 weeks, a drug interruption with progesterone antagonists is used.

If the period is longer than 8 weeks or when the uterus of the ultrasound shows the remains of the fetal egg, then the scraping of the cavity is performed. The prognosis after fading in the early stages is quite favorable. Many women, faced with such a problem, subsequently successfully nurse and give birth to several children.

Is it possible to lift weights during pregnancy? - a rhetorical question. Ideally, a woman in an interesting position should wear only a handbag. In life happens differently. It is noted that lifting weights does not affect the course of pregnancy, if the body is used to increased stress. However, this is a trend, but not a guarantee. Therefore, it is better not to take risks and carry only one small package from the store together with the bag.

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