21 weeks pregnant what is to heavy to lift? (also cramps in legs) please read !!!?

Question

what stuff is considered to havy to pick up and i ws wondering is it worst if you pick something heavy while your farther along or early in pregnancy?

i just pickep up my laundry basket with dirty close should i stay away from picking heavy items like that now? could i had caused any harm right now when i did it?

what helps to prevent cramps in legs and why do you get them?

Answer 1

Well I'm 26 weeks pregnant and it really depends how  much clothes is in the basket if its light then not really  but i wouldn't say pick up something heavy and the doctor's tell you try not lift heavy things so don't lift  to much heavy stuff and the leg  cramps you can't stand for too long or you can't sit for to long but my doctor's told me try la yin down and put my feet up.up but not for too long!  but it really does work for me

Answer 2

My practitioner told me not to lift anything heavier than 20 lbs after the second trimester.  If it feels too heavy, it probably is. Remember to lift with your legs and not your back, regardless of what you are lifting.

In addition to eating more potassium, I found that stretching before I went to bed helped alleviate the nighttime leg cramps.

Answer 3

well for the cramps...charlie horses??  You need more potassium...try eating bananas.  I ate about 2 everyday and it helped with the cramping.

And as for picking things up...I think it is geared more towards the beginning of the pregnancy because of chance of miscarrying.  I picked up my 25 pound son through out my whole pregnancy

Answer 4

What is heavy for you now depends on what was heavy for you before pregnancy.  before pregnancy, I could lift the equivalent of my body weight, so picking up a laundry basket or a even big bag of dogfood wasn't what I would call heavy lifting. However, I was just diagnosed with complete placenta previa and my doctor told me not to pick up anything over 15 pounds.

Keep in mind that the main reason pregnant women aren't supposed to lift heavy objects is that we have an increased risk of straining or pulling a muscle.  Think of it this way: before you're pregnant, your abdominal muscles are tight and support your core. During pregnancy your abdominal muscles have to stretch to accomodate your uterus. Because your abs aren't able to support you as much, your back has to work harder than usual. These muscle changes make it easier than usual for you to pull or strain an abdominal or back muscle.  not fun! However, your baby is very nicely cushioned inside you, and unless you're powerlifting or doing something you shouldn't, you're probably not going to hurt your baby! :-)  

Leg cramps: getting a little more potassium can help; so can drinking lots of water. The pregnancy hormone is known to cause leg cramps, so even if you eat tons of bananas you still may have the occasional charlie horse.  

Answer 5

Eat bananas and drink plenty of water for the cramps.  As far as lifting as long as your dr. has not restricted you picking up laundry should be fine. Congratulations!!!  

Answer 6

Don't go crazy picking up everything, but you can pick up anything that you have been used to picking before you were pregnant.(unless your ob has told you otherwise)  I'm 33 weeks, and have been picking up my daughter who is 22lbs. Can't say it's always easy to get back up.  A suggestion for your cramps is to drink more milk, or eat 2 rolaids,tums etc. a day.  Also try to lay on your left side when resting.

Answer 7

Aww your due on Christmas. Wouldn't that be a great Christmas gift. Congrats. For the leg cramps eat more potassium like bananas. If you keep getting leg cramps you could call your dr. about it, or stretch out your legs. Lifting a laundry basket full of clothes shouldn't be too heavy for you, but if your dr. has put you on strict orders ask him/her what is too heavy. Good Luck..

Answer 8

you cant lift anything over 20 lbs. and just make sure you dont lift things over your head. laundry baskets are fine

Answer 9

i was told not to lift anything till about 6-7 month.  i think the danger might be that you can hurt your back or rupture the amniotic sac.  as for cramps in your legs...wrap a bar of soap in a paper towel and put it under your mattress...i know it's strange...i thought my friend was tripping when she told me...trust me it works...