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Why pregnant women should not raise their hands up
While expecting a child, a woman should carefully monitor her health. And one of the most frequent recommendations of a gynecologist for pregnant women is not to raise their hands. Should this rule be followed and why?
Why shouldn’t pregnant women raise their hands?
The position with arms raised up becomes unfavorable for the expectant mother and baby from the second trimester of pregnancy. However, the danger exists only if you make too sharp movements or keep your hands up for a long time.
In order not to harm the baby, pregnant women should not raise their hands for a long time.
This situation is unsafe for the following reasons:
- Lack of oxygen. In this position, the woman’s brain receives less oxygen, which leads to dizziness and fainting. Its entry into the blood also decreases, and this leads to oxygen starvation of the fetus.
- Premature birth. In the later stages, a long stay in a position with raised arms can cause a sudden discharge of amniotic fluid and an untimely birth of a child.
- Fall risk. It is difficult for a pregnant woman to maintain balance due to a shift in the center of gravity, therefore, in this position, there is a high probability of an accidental fall.
- Change in fetal position. If you raise your hands up too often, the baby may take the wrong position in the uterus – turn head up.
It is believed that this pose creates a risk of strangulation of the child with the umbilical cord, but this has not been officially confirmed. The position with arms raised up does not in any way affect the entanglement of the baby in the umbilical cord.
Can you do the exercises with your arms raised?
Special exercises and moderate physical activity are a prerequisite for the normal course of pregnancy. The expectant mother may well afford some activities where you need to raise your hands up:
- easy charging;
- yoga, gymnastics or Pilates classes for pregnant women;
- swimming in the pool;
- low-effort housework.
When doing the exercises, make sure that they do not cause excessive fatigue. Only in this case, physical activity will not harm, but will be beneficial – it will strengthen the heart, tone the muscles and improve blood circulation.
Usually, the expectant mother herself feels what loads she can do, and does not make movements dangerous for the fetus. Classes where you need to raise your hands should not be afraid either. Let us explain why: pregnant women should not raise their hands up only for a long time, that is, be in a tense static position.
Moderate physical activity will not harm, but, on the contrary, will be beneficial. And if for them you need to raise your hands up for a few seconds, do not be afraid. But if doubts persist, check with the doctor who monitors your pregnancy.