Questionim 32 weeks today and what to know should i still be bending over? is it ok? or should i not be bending over anymore? such things as picking up clothes on the floor,or laundry,my 6years things. please help
AnswerWhen the belly gets really big, bending over becomes cumbersome for everyone. The best way to lift items off the floor is to do the "golfer's lift."
Place one hand on a chair, countertop, or wall for balance. Lift one foot off the floor. Teeter-totter your body forward, allowing the leg of the lifted foot to move backward a little bit. Your free hand can now easily reach down and pick up a light weight item off the floor. You can place light weight items down this way too.
If the item is larger/heavier, like a laundry basket, squat down as low as you can comfortably go, bringing your spine to a high front diagonal. Lift the item with both hands and immediately bring it under your belly, then straighten your legs as you bring your torso back up to vertical.
Very heavy items should not be lifted by women in the third trimester.
For your older child, sit down and have her climb up next to you, rather than lifting and carrying her. If you absolutely must carry her, do so for short distances only, and carry her to the side, and have her hold on with her arms and back leg so that she is supporting some of her own weight.
