When To Stop Bending During Pregnancy: What Are The Risks Involved?

You probably bend over multiple times when you are healthy or at normal times. I am not saying that being pregnant is not something normal and usual, but during pregnancy, there are a lot of restrictions, as this is a special time for every woman. Bending over might have been something you did out of reflex, but during pregnancy, this could easily turn out to be a cause of concern. So the biggest concern here is when to stop bending during pregnancy?

It becomes more difficult to bend over as you progress with your pregnancy. Is there anything to worry about when bending over becomes difficult? Is there a possibility of hurting your baby if you bend over? If yes, then when should we stop bending during pregnancy? Read along, and you will find every answer to your questions.

Is Bending Safe During Pregnancy?

You must have heard this multiple times that every pregnancy is different. Moving around easily is different for every woman, and it is also different in every pregnancy that you have. But, there are stages in pregnancy where bending over is safer than the other stages.

If you have a healthy pregnancy, then during the first trimester, there is no issue about you bending over. You will be flexible, just as you were before finding out that you are pregnant. This is the time when your baby is just little, and they are way too tiny to limit your movement during the first trimester. This is the time when you will not even notice the bump.

Again if you have a healthy pregnancy, by the time you reach the second trimester, you will not experience much problem with bending over. But you might face a little difficulty bending over because of the baby bum and your flexibility. But your little one is still small, and they are well protected. The amniotic sac protects them even if you bend or change your posture.

But as you grow, you will find a change in your center of gravity. Meaning you might often lose balance while you are moving around. As the bump grows heavier, the risk of falling increases. So if you were thinking, “When to stop bending during pregnancy?” this is the time.

When To Stop Bending During Pregnancy?

By the time you reach the third trimester, there is a lot of risk that comes with bending over. During this phase, it might be painful to bend over, and this is a sign that you need to stop now. The baby has grown, and it will also strain the ligaments, so it won’t be impossible to bend over, but it is going to be difficult. Ask for help whenever you need it, and do not stain yourself.

You might be getting a lot of back pain during this time, but with a good posture, you can ease a lot of it. Try to stop yourself from slouching or arching your back. Relax your spine as much as you can.

The growing baby automatically puts extra strain on the ligaments, and the level of amniotic fluid is less. So, certain postures like bending over might cause you some discomfort, telling you that you should refrain from doing those.

What Are The Consequences Of Bending During Pregnancy?

There are some other signs as well that will let you know when to top bending during pregnancy. Those are:

Belly Pain

As I mentioned earlier, when the baby grows, there is a chance that you will feel a little discomfort because of it in your abdominal muscles. When you bend, the muscle stretches even more, sometimes leading to injury.

Relaxin is a hormone that works during this time to loosen the muscles, straining your abdominal muscles and your back. Improper posture can cause some more discomfort and increase the risk of injury.

Lower Back Pain

During pregnancy, it is normal to get lower back pain, as the muscles get extra strained during this time. This is going to cause you some more pain if you are already getting some. There is an increased chance of getting lower back pain if you bend over with your heavy bump. Take a warm bath, relax, and use a chair while you are taking a shower.

Dizziness

You might even get dizzy when you bend over during pregnancy. These symptoms become frequent when the blood volume increases as you progress with your pregnancy. With all these extra volumes of blood, bending over can cause a head rush and, in return, make you dizzy.

Heartburn Or Acid Reflux

Acid reflux has a tendency of causing a heartburn. This might cause a little burning sensation in your throat and chest. This happens when the stomach acid makes its way out of the stomach.

How Can You Bend Correctly During Pregnancy?

If you have to bend over during pregnancy, then do it right. Even when you are just in the initial phase, use a proper body posture when you are bending over. Here are some tips to do it right during unavoidable circumstances.

• If you have to bend over, try to put your body in a posture similar to a lunge or a squat instead of going head first.
• Bend your knees, and do not fold from the middle.
• Keep the back straight and the head above your chest as you lower your body.
• For better posture, spread your knees apart to have a better hold of your balance.
• Use your knees and hands to get back up.

Maintaining Proper Posture During Pregnancy

Bending isn’t the only condition where your body might face some accidents during pregnancy. Here’s when you need to be careful when you’re pregnant –

Sitting

When pregnant, make sure that your sitting posture is correct. Make sure that you are putting your feet flat on the ground. Also, it’s best not to cross your legs to ensure proper blood flow. Now, some women cannot be able to maintain a straight posture. In this case, keep your pelvis tilted forward. You can also use a chair to support your back.

Driving

In your third trimester, stay away from the steering wheel. Yes, driving might become a real pain in the neck right around this time of your pregnancy.  It’s best to sit a little behind so that your growing belly bump doesn’t touch the steering wheel. Also, you can place a towel roll behind your back to support your back. 

Standing

Proper distribution of your body weight is important to maintain your posture. So, if you were thinking that you need to maintain your weight only when you’re sitting, bending, or sleeping, maintain your posture also when you’re standing upright. 

This will help you arch your back without causing any strain on your belly bump. Also, keep your shoulders relaxed and back. It’s best not to hunch your back while standing.

Few Tips To Follow During Pregnancy

Bending over is mostly safe if you are having a healthy pregnancy. During the third trimester, your baby bump grows, and this is the time when you should take a few precautions. This will help you reduce the risk of complications and injuries that often come with bending over. 

When you are getting out of bed, roll over slowly, and do not bend over. If possible, sleep on your left side because it is said that it increases blood flow. Try not to lift any heavy object during pregnancy as well.

RECOMMENDED READING:

• Butt Pain During Pregnancy: The Causes And Reasons Behind It
• How To Increase Hemoglobin In Pregnancy? Learn How To Avoid The Risks
• When Can I Start Bending After A C-Section? The Road To Recovery After A C-Section!