Can pregnant women sit? The results of sedentary, nervous work of the mother during pregnancy

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Pregnancy and superstition

Much has to do with pregnancy and childbirth. folk signs and superstition. They are passed down from generation to generation. But most of them are completely meaningless. They are a relic of yesteryear. After all, before the expectant mother could not count on a qualified medical care and modern equipment. Here they came up with various signs so that childbirth is easy and born healthy child. Although some of these superstitions are indeed not without meaning. Here are 11 of the most common superstitions with comments and denials by gynecologist Irina Stoleshnikova:

1. Pregnant women should not sit cross-legged.

It is believed that then a child with crooked legs or a clubfoot will be born.
Fact: It is indeed undesirable to sit cross-legged during pregnancy. But this has nothing to do with the possible curvature of the legs and clubfoot of the child. It's just that with this position of the body, blood circulation in the legs is disturbed. future mother which can lead to varicose veins.

2. A pregnant woman should not be denied food and all her whims must be satisfied, even if this product is contraindicated for her.

It is believed that every unsatisfied desire during pregnancy complicates childbirth. And the more such desires were, the stronger woman will suffer.
In fact: Indeed, during pregnancy it is better to follow all your desires. But this does not affect the nature of the course of childbirth. It’s just that the body of a pregnant woman knows best what it needs in this moment. But even if you really want exactly what is strictly forbidden by the doctor, it is better not to take risks and overpower yourself. Although gynecologists have long come to the conclusion that some "forbidden" products, in small quantities, if desired, can be consumed (for example, beer).

3. Do not tie knots during pregnancy.

In fact: This is a prejudice and there is not even a grain of truth in it. Unless, of course, you are going to tie a knot yourself in the second half of pregnancy, which is completely unrealistic.

4. During pregnancy, you can not raise your hands above your head.

It is believed that then during childbirth, the baby can become entangled in the umbilical cord.
Fact: For a long time, gynecologists did believe that if a pregnant woman often raises her arms above her head, then this causes entanglement or crochet of the umbilical cord during childbirth. But it has now been proven that there is no relationship.

5. Pregnant women should not cut their hair.

It is believed that each time cutting off their hair, the expectant mother shortens the life of her child.
In fact: This is a prejudice. On the contrary, during pregnancy, many women in the worst side the structure of the hair changes. They become thinner, brittle, fade, split and crawl out. Therefore, in order to improve hair and look good, it is advisable to cut your hair regularly or at least trim the ends. Naturally, this does not affect the child in any way.

6. You can not tell anyone (except the future dad) about your pregnancy until it is noticeable.

It is believed that the surrounding close attention they can jinx the expectant mother and then she will have a difficult and prolonged birth.
In fact: This is a personal matter for each person. But with the threat of a miscarriage, psychologists really recommend not to advertise their position, as long as there is a risk of miscarriage (up to about 4 months). Otherwise, if misfortune suddenly happens, then it will be very difficult for you from unintentional tactlessness or excessive care surrounding.

7. It is impossible to find out the sex of the unborn child before childbirth.

It is believed that it is impossible to violate the great sacrament of childbearing and find out the future earlier due date.
Fact: Indeed, the church does not approve of all kinds of predictions, including determining the sex of the child during pregnancy. Previously, it was still believed that the imperfection of the technique during this procedure could adversely affect the health of the baby. But now the ultrasound procedure is absolutely harmless and is considered mandatory for all expectant mothers. Of course, if the baby always turns "on the wrong side", then you should not get carried away too often, without a doctor's recommendation, to carry out this procedure.

8. It is impossible to buy a dowry for a baby before childbirth and bring children's things into the house.

It is considered to be very Bad sign.
Actually: It's just a prejudice. On the contrary, it is advisable to buy everything you need in advance. Otherwise, immediately after returning from the hospital, you will have to urgently run to the shops. Or trust this responsible procedure to the newly-minted dad, who is not even able to distinguish booties from socks. Just do not buy things in advance in large quantities and for growth.

9. During pregnancy, do not sleep on your back.

It is believed that in this position the baby does not have enough air and he can suffocate.
Fact: If the pregnancy proceeds normally without complications, then a woman can sleep in any comfortable posture. But in some cases, doctors really do not recommend sleeping on your back, especially in the second half of pregnancy. This is due to the fact that in this position, the entire mass of the pregnant uterus presses on the spine, intestines and inferior vena cava, which is responsible for the outflow of blood from the lower body to the heart. This can cause back pain, hemorrhoids, difficulty breathing, circulation, and hypotension.

10. During pregnancy, you can not take a bath.

It is believed that childbirth can begin earlier than the due date.
Fact: Indeed, during pregnancy, you should not take a hot bath, which in some cases can cause premature birth. But from warm water there will be no harm. Vice versa warm bath Helps to relax and relieve stress and fatigue. Even earlier it was believed that while taking a bath, dirty water could enter the vagina and cause inflammation in the birth canal and in the uterus. It has now been proven that the mucous plug located in the cervix prevents the penetration of microbes into the uterus.

11. You can not tell anyone the expected day of birth (even the future dad).

It is believed that secret childbirth proceeds quickly and easily. And the more people you know know that a woman is giving birth now, the longer and more she will suffer.
In fact: It does not affect the nature of childbirth in any way. Often, a woman and a doctor can only very roughly calculate the estimated day of delivery. But there is still some sense in this superstition. Most of all pregnant women are annoyed by one stupid question: "Have you given birth yet?" Especially if the expectant mother herself is waiting for the birth, and the expected day has long passed. So if others do not know the expected date, then you last days will be much calmer.

But still, during pregnancy, you should not rely on various signs and superstitions, even if there is some truth in them. It is better to ask all your questions to your doctor and strictly follow his recommendations.

It's no secret that during pregnancy you need to completely change habitual image life. While carrying a child, you can not sit at the computer for a long time, sleep on your stomach or cross your legs. That is why it is important at the beginning of this period to get a doctor's advice on how to sit correctly.

The dangers of prolonged sitting

With a long stay in a sitting position, the same muscles constantly function, while all the others remain in a relaxed state. The muscle tissue of the back is not subjected to stress, which provokes a deterioration in blood circulation in the region of the spine.

In addition, in a sitting position, the load on the intervertebral discs increases significantly compared to a lying or standing position. These reasons can provoke osteochondrosis, which causes pain in the back and limbs. It also often causes headaches.

In the middle of pregnancy, the load on the spine increases due to the growth of the uterus. You can not sit for a long time, because there is a risk of pain syndrome in the waist. In addition, these factors lead to congestion in the pelvic organs.

During pregnancy, venous outflow is disturbed and pressure increases in abdominal cavity. All this leads to education. hemorrhoids. Because for a long time you can’t sit - there is a risk of aggravating the situation.

To prevent negative consequences, you need to learn how to sit correctly. It is desirable that the back and neck remain straight, and the legs bent at the knees and placed on the floor. Hands need to be bent. This position can be achieved in the following way:

The chair should have armrests and a backrest. It is important that the feet reach the floor. The back will support the spine, and the armrests will provide rest for the upper limbs. Correct position legs will prevent the occurrence of circulatory disorders. You can also use a special stand.
Things that you use all the time can be positioned so that you do not have to stay in a bent position for a long time. Side bending should be avoided, especially for heavy lifting. It is in such situations that the risk of damage to the intervertebral discs increases.

It is better to limit prolonged stay in sitting position. Take breaks during work. It is impossible to stay in a sitting position for more than 45 minutes. After this time, you should get up and set aside 15 minutes for rest - for example, you can take a walk. It's best to go outside if possible.

For 45 minutes of work, you should change the position of the body three times - for example, move your legs or head, shake your shoulders. This will avoid fatigue.

It is also very useful to do special exercises. Doctors advise performing head tilts - this improves blood circulation in the brain and is a reliable prevention of cervical osteochondrosis.

How should you sit at a computer?

Prolonged sitting at a computer can Negative consequences. To reduce the risk, it is very important to constantly monitor your posture. When sitting at a computer, you need to straighten your back, straighten your shoulders, place your hands on the armrests. In this case, the legs should stand firmly on the floor.

The monitor must be placed at the same level as the eyes. Thanks to this, the head will be in line with the spine. All things must be placed within reach of the hands. When getting up from a chair, move to the very edge. First, they lean on their legs, after which they raise the entire body.

How to drive?

Women who continue to drive a car during pregnancy should follow some rules:

Use a special lumbar roller. The knees must be placed at the level of the hips or even higher.
The seat can be moved closer to the steering wheel, but it should not be too close.
It is always necessary to fasten seat belts. In this case, the stomach should be placed as low as possible.
The driver's seat should be positioned so that the steering wheel is against the chest.

Prohibitions and restrictions

The main requirement for a sitting posture of the body is an even posture, which will ensure proper blood circulation in the body. It is important to consider that bones and cartilage weaken during pregnancy. That is why the risk of fractures and dislocations increases significantly, the load on the musculoskeletal system increases, fatigue appears and the risk of falls increases.

It is also worth considering that circulatory disorders can cause negative consequences:

increased risk of hemorrhoids;
swelling appears;
increased risk of thrombophlebitis and varicose veins veins;
disruption of oxygen supply and useful substances to the child - this leads to hypoxia.

slouch;
cross your legs;
arch your back;
cross the lower limbs;
tuck your legs under you;
squat.

Pregnancy is a very important period in a woman's life, which is why it is so important to strictly follow all the doctor's recommendations. Ask a specialist how you can sit while carrying a child. You should also know what not to do. This will help to avoid serious complications and endure a healthy baby.

With the onset of pregnancy, the well-being and rhythm of a woman's life change dramatically. Any unusual sensations cause panic, because the most important thing is not to harm the child. There is a whole list of recommendations and prohibitions that every expectant mother should know by heart. Among them there are some rather strange tips. Let's try to figure out whether it is possible for pregnant women to squat, and if not, then why.

Folk wisdom or another myth?

Most moms-to-be learn not to squat during pregnancy from older women. Why, no one can explain exactly, but such a ban exists. In the days of our grandmothers, horror stories were widespread that in such a position one could “crush the baby” or provoke premature birth.

Science has made significant strides in recent years. What they say today, is it possible for pregnant women to squat? In fact, there is no single answer to this question. Even if you ask a specialist, he will only voice his personal opinion. And yet we will try to figure it out and understand whether this position is harmful for the unborn child and the mother's body.

Opinion of doctors: is it possible for pregnant women to squat?

If the process of bearing a child proceeds without any complications, in the first months of pregnancy, a woman can take any position that does not cause discomfort. You can sit too.

Everything changes as the baby grows. Already from the fifth month of pregnancy, a woman should be more attentive to her own well-being and reconsider many household habits. Many expectant mothers do not even ask if pregnant women can squat. The thing is that with a rounded tummy, it is quite inconvenient to take this position, and even more so for a long time. Squatting is not recommended from the middle of pregnancy. The thing is that in this position, a rather large fetus is already pressing on the cervix. The result of such exposure can even be premature birth.

Another squat is a violation of blood circulation and lymph flow. Women who love to take this position are threatened with swelling, the development of thrombophlebitis and varicose veins. A seemingly harmless pose can cause the development of hemorrhoids in a future mother and intrauterine hypoxia at the fetus.

When to squat is not only possible, but necessary

Every expectant mother should understand that pregnancy is not a disease. While carrying a child, you can and should lead a normal life, only with some restrictions. For example, if a woman regularly went in for sports before pregnancy, you can’t quit training. It is important to choose the right program for the expectant mother. Interesting fact- squats during pregnancy are included in many complexes special gymnastics. Sports activities for expectant mothers, they not only do not prohibit, but are also recommended by doctors, provided there are no individual contraindications. It is best to train under the supervision of an instructor. If you are more comfortable at home, be sure to visit a couple introductory classes and try to learn all the exercises.

Squatting is possible and necessary in cases where you need to pick up some thing from the floor. It is especially important to observe this rule on recent months pregnancy. As the belly grows, the back of the expectant mother is subjected to more and more serious stress. In order not to overstrain already tired muscles, it is recommended to replace inclinations with squats in all possible situations. But what about the harm of the squatting posture? If the expectant mother carefully squats and returns to her original position after a couple of seconds, this movement will not bring her any harm. During pregnancy, it is dangerous to linger in this position.

Prohibited positions for pregnant women

While carrying a child, it is recommended to avoid only squatting. The sitting postures familiar to many can also harm the expectant mother and baby: “in Turkish”, “leg to leg”, “tucking your legs under you”. Above, we have already found out why pregnant women should not squat. For all other unnatural postures, the root cause of contraindications is the same - a high probability of impaired lymph flow and blood circulation. Do not forget about the pressure of the fetus on the cervix. The consequences can be very different. Pregnancy itself is a serious test for the body, so why expose your body to unnecessary stress?

Correct postures for expectant mothers

During pregnancy Special attention should be given correct posture. Do not slouch or arch your back. It is most useful for expectant mothers to sit on a chair with their feet on the floor. It is desirable that the back of the selected piece of furniture be straight and high enough. Two landing options are considered natural. In the first case, the back rests on the back, and the arms rest on the armrests or the table. In the second - you should sit closer to the edge of the seat, but so that the buttocks lie on it completely and are relaxed.

How to sit pregnant in a car or on a soft sofa? Expectant mothers are not recommended to spend a lot of time on uncomfortable, hard seats or too soft armchairs. But if necessary, in both cases, the fit can be adjusted using a small lumbar roller. If you do not have such a device at hand, you can replace it with a folded terry towel or decorative pillow.

Regardless of where you sit, you need to keep your back straight and at the same time as close to the back as possible. And you need to get up from a sitting position not abruptly, but gradually, first moving to the edge of a chair or sofa. To make sure you are sitting correctly, pay attention to your back and neck - they should be in line, and your knees and hips should form a 90-degree angle, if your legs hang a little, make a stand.

Taking into account the fact that lordosis increases during pregnancy, while sitting, you need to put a roller or pillow under your lower back, or you can buy a special device sold in a pharmacy - a stabilizer.

If you work a lot, sitting at the table, then make it a rule to get up every 15 minutes and warm up a little. Since time flies by quickly at work, set an alarm. It rang - they got up, walked around, stretched their necks and continued to work.

At home, sitting positions should be avoided as much as possible, it is better to lie down, raising your legs above your head. And if you still need to sit down, then use a fitball instead of a chair or armchair.

If you sit incorrectly and for a long time, then you will get pain in your back and neck, disrupt the circulation of the pelvic organs, and with regular sitting cross-legged, there is a risk of developing varicose veins.

How to stand?

Of course, it is not recommended to stand for a long time during pregnancy, as there is a strong load on the spine and the outflow of blood from the legs is disturbed. But, if you are forced to stand for some time - in transport, in line, at a bus stop, etc., then do it correctly, namely, do not roll over from foot to foot, try to stand straight, maintaining your posture.

If you eat while standing in transport, holding on to the handrail, then there is nothing to worry about. However, if you are either late in pregnancy, then it is better not to be shy and ask the seated people to give way.

Holding hands above the head for a long time is not dangerous for the child, but dangerous for the mother, as there may be a deterioration in the blood circulation of the brain, and then there is a risk of losing consciousness or stumbling and falling.

How to lie down?

It is advisable to lie on your side during pregnancy. This is especially important for later dates. If you lie on your back for a long time, then, firstly, it will heavily load the lumbosacral spine, and secondly, you can compress the great vena cava and disrupt blood circulation. Therefore, try to lie on your side and preferably on your left side, because on the right side the fetus can put pressure on the liver. For convenience and comfort, put a pillow between your knees or buy special pillow for pregnant. Only the head should rest on the main pillow, not the shoulders.

How to sit properly in a car?

If you often drive, then you should pay attention to the distance from the stomach to the steering wheel. 25 cm is considered optimal, as soon as the stomach has grown so that this distance has been reduced to a minimum, it is better to temporarily abandon self-driving.

If you ride in a car as a passenger, then it is better to do it on front seat- this will allow you to move the chair as far as you like, and you can also tilt the back of the chair. Place a cushion under your lower back. Do not spend more than 2 hours sitting in the car, make stops, walk around, stretch.

If there are problems with carrying a pregnancy, it is necessary to refuse any travel by car, it is also very important to always buckle up and avoid roads with strong shaking.

During pregnancy, a woman should be especially attentive to her body, listen to it and take care of her health. Some people have to completely change their way of life, give up bad habits. But there are also less noticeable, but very important nuances that affect the condition of the expectant mother and her child. One of these moments is the ability of a woman to sit correctly, without overloading the spine and without interfering with blood circulation.

How should you sit in a chair during pregnancy?

Get used to proper fit should start from the first weeks of pregnancy. At this time, the load on the spine is still small and the expectant mother has time to change not quite good habits. The rules are quite simple: the back and neck must remain straight, arms bent, and feet flat on the floor. This can be achieved, first of all, by carefully choosing the model of a chair or office chair. It should have a back that supports the back of the pregnant woman, as well as armrests designed to give rest to the hands. It is better to choose the height of the chair so that the legs comfortably and evenly stand on the floor, if the chair is too high and this is not possible, it is permissible to use a special footrest.

It is important to place all the things necessary for work in such a way that you do not reach for them, do not lean to the side, and especially do not lift heavy objects in this position. During pregnancy, the bones and cartilage are much softer than in the normal state, so the risk of injury increases many times over.

IMPORTANT: You can not sit in a cross-legged position. This position of the body overloads the spine and impedes blood circulation, which increases the risk of developing varicose disease in the mother and provokes hypoxia in the baby.

How should you sit at a computer?

First of all, you need to keep your head straight. Constant self-control is a commendable quality, but few are capable of it. A little trick will help. It is necessary to place the monitor in such a way that its top point is located just above eye level. This will keep the head straight in a natural way.
Now, few people use outdated technology, however, just in case, let's clarify that volumetric monitors with a thick beam tube emit dangerous electromagnetic radiation. Working behind such a monitor is strictly prohibited for pregnant women.
It is impossible for a laptop or a computer system unit to be in close proximity to the stomach, in particular, it is forbidden to put a laptop on your knees.
Wired Internet is preferable to wireless. This limitation in modern world can be neglected, since wireless Internet is now almost everywhere and it is simply impossible to protect yourself from it. This limitation is due to the fact that the influence of wi-fi on human body has not yet been fully studied, but research is ongoing and strict contraindications have not yet been identified.

How to drive?

Many ladies continue to drive a car until the very birth. To make this process convenient and safe, you need to follow a number of simple rules:

Use a special lumbar roller. It will unload the spine and relieve back pain, which often bothers pregnant women after a long time driving.
It is better to adjust the chair so that the knees are at the same level with the hips or slightly higher.
Use seat belts always and everywhere, while in the driver's or passenger's seat. Sudden braking or a light collision can have irreparable consequences for a pregnant woman. If the pregnancy is already long and it is inconvenient to use a regular belt, you can purchase a special belt for pregnant women, which is more elastic and equipped with an additional attachment point. Thanks to this, he does not put pressure on the stomach.
The driver's seat must be adjusted so that the steering wheel is against the chest.

What is the danger of prolonged sitting and how to minimize the harm?

It must be remembered that it is undesirable to sit for a long time during pregnancy. There are situations when prolonged sitting cannot be avoided - for example, if you are stuck in a traffic jam. However, in this case, there are ways to take care of your body by slightly changing the position of the body: shake your head, shoulders, stretch.

Under other circumstances, it is good to take 15-minute breaks every hour. During a break, it is best to walk on fresh air if the weather and situation permits. If not, then a walk along the corridor of the business center is better than nothing.

Forced sitting for many hours is fraught for pregnant women with an excessive load on the axis of the spine, which is especially dangerous with insufficiently developed back muscles. Some muscle groups are overly tense, while others, on the contrary, relax and lose their tone. As a result, the vertebrae are overloaded and deformed. Scoliosis worsens. In the most advanced cases, it can come to the appearance of vertebral hernias.

Pregnant women are often worried about cervical osteochondrosis. For prevention, it is very useful to perform head tilts in different sides, which at the same time improves cerebral circulation.

The load on the vessels during prolonged sitting is also very high and is fraught with the formation of blood clots, the development of varicose veins, disfiguring the legs and creating great physical discomfort. Dilated, protruding veins can appear not only on the legs, but also on the labia, forming the so-called "balls of snakes". At the first signs of varicose veins or family predisposition, it makes sense to start wearing compression underwear and stockings that prevent blood stasis in the limbs and pelvic organs.

How not to sit during pregnancy: conclusions

you can not sit without changing posture for a long time
you can not sit in a cross-legged position or other uncomfortable position, such as squatting.
you can’t sit with support only on your toes, your feet should be on the floor or on a special stand.
you can not sit with your legs bent under you
do not focus on the right or left side
you can not slouch, sit for a long time with your head down

Safety measures and special exercises for sedentary work

Every 30-45 minutes you need to take a break: get up, change position. After 30 weeks, a break will be required every 15-20 minutes or as needed.

When changing positions, you should do simple gymnastics:

Squeeze and unclench your toes quickly.
Take some slow circular motions feet.
Roll from heel to toe and back again until the tension on your feet subsides.
Make several rotational movements with your head and shoulders.
Stretch your hands.
Gently stretch your whole body up.
Spend 30-60 seconds stretching your arms forward and relaxing your back.

These simple exercises will help normalize blood flow in the pelvic cavity, put muscles and ligaments in order, and relieve stress from the spine.

Responsibility for their health and the health of the child lies entirely on the shoulders of the expectant mother. Compliance with the recommendations of doctors, an active lifestyle, the use of the rights granted to pregnant women labor code positively affect the outcome of pregnancy and improve the quality later life women. After all, with the birth of a child, everything only begins!

Especially for- Elena Kichak