How to Lift Objects When Pregnant

During pregnancy, take extra care when picking up heavy items.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

1. Assess whether the object is too weighty for you to carry without straining; if it is, ask for help.
2. Concentrate on keeping your balance. As your belly grows and your ligaments stretch, you're much more prone to falling.
3. Plant yourself firmly with your feet shoulder-width apart to make a stable base.
4. Bend at the knees, not the waist. Tuck in your tummy (admittedly a challenge in late pregnancy) and keep your back as straight as possible.
5. Use the strength of your legs to lift. The quadriceps, the muscles on the front of the thighs, are the strongest in the body.
6. Move slowly and smoothly to avoid jarring your body.

Tips & Warnings

• Divide up big loads such as a heavy bag of groceries and make smaller trips.
• Some medical conditions, including cervical incompetence and a high risk of preterm labor, require that women avoid lifting any large objects after the first trimester. Follow your doctor's advice.