Is heavy lifting really dangerous?

whickeyloo · May 2016

So i am 23 weeks along. Yesterday i lifted a few heavy trash bags and after i threw them away i felt pain in my lower back and lower abdomen area. I have heard your not supposed to lift heavy stuff the further you get along. I heard if its too much you can cause placental abruption? I don't have any bleeding or pain and baby is moving. But i heard you can tear your placenta and it can go unnoticed. Should i talk to my doctor about my concern? I am not to worried since baby is acting normal. But I'm just a little concerned since i caused a little stress to my abdomen area.

AnnaS930 · May 2016

If you are concerned, ask your doctor. There's no way we can diagnose level of pain or damage caused through the internet. From what I've heard of placental abruption it is extreme pain, but I'm not sure if it can go unnoticed or not. Take it easy

vampirina · May 2016

I have no idea if lifting heavy is going to cause harm, but I do know that talking to your doc about your concerns is NEVER a bad idea!

Also, I think it has more to do with lifting properly and within your ability level rather than the actual weight. After all, some bad ass pregnant ladies lift weights well into the third tri. If you think heavy trash bags are too much for you, it might best best to toss them before they get too heavy or enlist someone to help.

camichael84 · May 2016

You should be able to lift anything as heavy now as you could pre-pregnancy. With my first I worked in childcare, and I would take out a ton of heavy trash at once (lots of dirty diapers get heavy quick). It was fine. Unless you are high risk, pregnancy does not cause one to need to live in a bubble.

Sbrown721 · May 2016

I asked my midwife about this. I was asking about lifting heavy objects when working in the yard and she explained that I do not need to limit my lifting to a certain amount of pounds like some sources suggest. I am a healthy person with a healthy pregnancy and it is more important for me to pay attention to staying hydrated and not getting dizzy when lifting objects. That is just my case tho...good question for your doctor.

whickeyloo · May 2016

I work at a daycare to. And the trash i was carrying had all the meals they had that day and the diapers and extra trash around the room. It was about a 20-30 pound bag. I just didn't know if i should have been concerned that it hurt my stomach for a few seconds. Thank you ladies for your answers i feel better now. My pregnancy is healthy so i know i shouldn't worry. It's just hard not to. But i will being it up to my doctor at my appointment on Monday. And i will stop looking up these things on Google cause they clearly stress me out and make me think the worst.

vampirina · May 2016

@whickeyloo - if the pain lasted only a few seconds it was probably round ligament pain, which is harmless and normal. Mine can be pretty sharp and severe, but the pain lasts about 10 seconds and then it's gone. My back aches from time to time but that has less to do with lifting something heavy and more to do with just the wear on my back throughout the day.

camichael84 · May 2016

@whickeyloo I wouldn't worry about a few seconds hurt kind of pain. Something truly concerning is going to cause persistent pain, and something placental related (from what I've read) will be accompanied by bleeding. I agree you should stay away from Google. I haven't had issues Googling too much this pregnancy, but with my first my husband insisted I stop because I was causing so much needless worry. If I had any real concern, he'd google it for me and tell me the most common info instead of all the random, bad, unlikely scenarios that I would find.

kosmo86 · May 2016

I wouldn't go all she hulk but lifting a few heavy things here and there should be ok within reason. My mom is the worst, I can't do anything without her yelling at me because I am pregnant. We had a heavy IKEA cart the other day and she got so upset that I was pushing it, I seriously could make it move with 1 finger but apparently that was still to much!

camichael84 · May 2016

@kosmo86 I had people (coworkers and family) treat me that way with my first, too. This time I'm lifting and carrying around my 24-25 lb daughter most of the day, and no one offers help. Or DH tries, but then she usually she ends back up with me.

Flowr4246 · May 2016

If I overdo it, I often feel pain like you're describing until I've rested for a little while. It's probably round ligament pain or BH contractions brought on by over activity. Get a drink and try to lay down (or at least sit) for a while after it happens and it should disappate. If it doesn't, call your doc.

tinypikachu · May 2016

You'll do well to stay away from Google. I've had two instances where I've "hurt" myself carrying heavy things this pregnancy. One time I had a pretty large basket of laundry in one hand and the detergent in the other and when I put down the detergent, I got this sharp pain on my belly, at belly button level. I called the nurse the next day as the pain didn't go away and she said the issue with lifting heavy things while pregnant is that you're more prone to injury because of the relaxin hormone (that essentially relaxes your muscles). She told me that placental abruption is typically idiopathic (unknown cause) and not a fear when lifting.

The second time I was carrying 60+lbs trash bags full of clothes to donate (yes, I weighed them because I got scared it was too much). I went to several places and had to haul them out of my car several times. At one point, I lifted and my lower back hurt suddenly so I freaked out a little and called it a day. I relaxed (while my mind was terrified) and the pain was gone the next day. That was about 3 or 4 weeks ago. I should add my body is not used to lifting pre-pregnancy so I probably will stay away from it unless I have to.

TL;DR - It really shouldn't be an issue other than you might hurt your muscles because they're more prone to injury. I've had the same issue and no problems here!

ETA: I hope my post didn't come off as "I was totes fine, do whatevs you want". Obviously we are all different and our bodies react differently to things. I wouldn't lift 60lbs if I were you (nor will do it myself again), I just wanted to convey that it doesn't sound like the 25lbs of trash bags you carried did any harm. If you continue to worry, call the doctor, peace of mind is huge in pregnancy!

OBMommy · May 2016

Placental abruptions are very painful while placenta previas are painless. A good rule of thumb is that you should be able to continue lifting what you routinely lifted before pregnancy. If your body is not used to carrying trash, then don't start now. Likewise, if that's something your body is used to, then go right ahead. If you're one of those people that needs a weight limit, then I'd consult your doctor.

Sporty1216 · May 2016

If I have the option, I tend to let someone else do the heavy lifting. But, as others have already said, doing what you were used to doing pre-pregnancy tends to be fine. I was concerned about lifting my hulk of a toddler and my doctor told me it was fine to keep doing so--and even to keep wearing him--as long as I listened to my body.

AnnaS930 · May 2016

My husband offers to carry my dirty laundry from the 2nd floor down 2 flights to the basement.. and then back up after I wash and fold them. I don't deny him ... but it's more for keeping balance with a giant hamper on stairs than the actual weight. I carry my 24lb toddler around all the time and never think anything of it

izzetoot · May 2016

I lift my 25lbs toddler all day long! When he's not climbing or jumping on my stomach that is

But if you have any concerns about pain talk to your OB. Hang in there mama!

jevers · May 2016

It should be fine for most of all pregnancies but I never took it easy this pregnancy and somehow developed a placental tear. Only found out after having a ton of lower abdomen pressure and pain in a day (like couldn't even sit comfortably pain) and started gushing blood a few hours later. I'm on bed rest now and they can heal but not knowing what caused it sucks. It could be luck of the draw - or that I did tons of lifting of my 30lb toddler, yard work, working out etc. during my first 17 weeks. Not at all intending to scare anyone but just pointing out that there is a reason we are told to be cautious with lifting, twisting etc. OP: I'm sure it was just a muscle pain. Hope you start to feel better!

In terms of an abruption, you would know according to the nurses during my hospital stay. I was educated on signs since I'm at risk but they stated it would be unbearable, incredible pain, bleeding and your stomach would be rock hard. Not coming and going but like a constant intense contraction. I'm hoping I won't have any real life experience!

TheTamedShrew · May 2016

AnnaS930 said:

My husband offers to carry my dirty laundry from the 2nd floor down 2 flights to the basement.. and then back up after I wash and fold them. I don't deny him ... but it's more for keeping balance with a giant hamper on stairs than the actual weight. I carry my 24lb toddler around all the time and never think anything of it

I need to start making my husband do this. I hate waiting on him to do anything, but I've almost fallen a couple of times already. I also have to go up and down two flights and it suuuuucks.

whickeyloo · May 2016

Thank you ladies. I feel so much better. I just worry about every little thing. But i just want my little man to be safe.

frogdog06 · May 2016

I am still going to my work out classes at least once a week and am lifting heavy weights overhead (30-50lbs). These are called thruster or snatches. I am also deadlifting about as much and still rowing. All okayed by my doctor. "A little stress" to the ab area isn't going to harm baby - your body is built to shelter LO as he/she is growing. However, you could have totally pulled a muscle by throwing the trash bags in a manner that was unsafe or utilizing muscles that are not familiar with the movement(s).

I echo what what others have stated - if it's too heavy, have DH do it. Or don't let it get so heavy. If there is no residual pain as you stated, you should be fine. It's an old superstition to not lift (my mom swatted me at the grocery store when I was reaching for some bouillon on a top shelf). Be careful but not paranoid.

crispy11 · May 2016

I'm glad someone else mentioned lifting children. I am still lifting my 3 and 4.5 year olds. My mindset is to be mindful of heavy lifting but also to just listen to my body. Plus something are more important than others. 35 pound trash bag? No thanks. 35 pound daughter? Surely!

whickeyloo · May 2016

Thank you ladies for all of your responses. Saw my doctor today. She basically said what you all said. I just need to watch myself better. So glad to know it's ok.

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