Lifting things during pregnancy

pblge · October 2014

I forgot to ask my OB about this! I meant to ask how much weight I should be lifting as this pregnancy progresses. Mostly I want to know if I have to worry about moving very full laundry hampers or similar cleaning-related tasks. I'm healthy and pretty strong, and the 10-15 pound limits I've heard before seem absurd.

What have you been told?

ksgsmu · October 2014

Depends on your situation.... ask your doctor. Most give a 25lb max... Mine is way less at 10lbs but I am having twins.

hopeby2015 · October 2014

I've heard it also depends on what you were lifting before. As long as nothing changes too drastically, I've heard it's ok.

turquoisequeen · October 2014

Glad you asked this. I was wondering the same thing yesterday as I lifted a giant pack of water bottles from the grocery cart into the car.

mdiblasi10 · October 2014

Let's see.... I lift my 30 lb toddler all the time. Pregnant Moms with older kids lift them and they weigh a lot more than my son. We lift our own body weights every time we walk up the stairs or squat down. I decided to pick up CrossFit again after my awful first tri hyperemesis gravidarum, and I dead lift 150 lbs and swing a 53 lb kettle bell all the time and for a bunch of reps. My OB knows what I am doing and I obviously listen to my body and have scaled down the weight from pre-pregnancy, but 10-15 lbs seems silly to me. We're pregnant, not powerless!

Obviously everyone is different and if your doctor gives you limits, I understand following them. I just hate the assumption that pregnant women can't do anything.

iheartsippycups2 · October 2014

My RE said no more than 10lbs- yea,ok. Tell that to my 40lb 4 year old!

AMShark · October 2014

10-15 lbs sounds absurd to me too. I couldn't even lift most of my cats on that restriction. How would you bring in the groceries, or do laundry or do ... anything?!

I've been going by not lifting anything that makes me feel like I'm straining. That being said, I wish I'd thought to ask my OB this question earlier today. @ksgsmu 's comment about 10 lbs for twins has me worried that I should be paying more attention to this.

@ksgsmu - Have you had that restriction since you first found out it was twins, or only after you reached a certain stage?

As absurd as I may feel, I don't want to do anything to harm my babies.

ccam · October 2014

My OB never gave me any restrictions. I was only on restrictions from my RE right after ETs and I think that was 25lbs. I said to the nurse one time - well, I have a 30lb toddler and she said "guess that restriction is pretty unrealistic then!". I've lifted my son this entire pregnancy with no problem. 10lbs is crazy!

pblge · October 2014

I called my OB and the nurse said 30-35 lbs is usually fine with healthy pregnancies, so long as you listen to your body and use good technique. I feel better now!

PurpleDaisy923 · October 2014

My RE told me to not lift more than 10lbs because I am having twins. I have been trying to stick to that rule as much as possible. I make the occasional exception for my 12lb cats lol!

Robeano · October 2014

ya I agree with PP. I mean today I carried in a big bag of flour. I've also never been given a weight restriction but you know your body best, so not the time to help family and friends move lol.

I guess the issue with lifting things is since all your ligaments are softening and joints loosen you just need to make really sure you're lifting things properly. IE lift with your legs, not your back!

(at work we do all these back care and lifting classes to help prevent injury so I really put them into practice when I'm pregnant)

Mrs.McIrish · October 2014

I was told 25lbs and I'm having twins... I still lift a case of water at the store end 25lb boxes of kitty litter but I let DH carry them in the house. I no longer carry the laundry up or down to the basement bc it hurts...

ksgsmu · October 2014

AMShark I was told that from day 1 with my RE then my MFM told me to keep the guidelines... I have been on pelvic rest the entire time as well

My restrictions are due to several factors...
previous losses, mild placenta previa in first tri and of course the twin factor. I have a somewhat physical job so it was really difficult at first but after all I have been through to get theses babes not going to do anything risk... just go with whatever your doctor advises!

rella22 · October 2014

I was told by both my RE and OB that as long as it's things that I'm used to doing, it's okay. Of course, I think as your pregnancy progresses that will change, but so far I still lift laundry baskets and weights at the gym!

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