When it comes to household chores, most housewives are superhumans in disguise, for they seem to get everything done, one way or another. During pregnancy, however, things may get a tad challenging due to tiredness as well as an expanding belly that might get in the way of certain activities.
For some women, there may even be certain household chores that are prohibited by their doctor, due to complications in their pregnancy, etc.
Pregnancy can bring out a side of you that you may not have even known to exist! Apart from the usual physical symptoms like constipation, morning sickness, and fatigue, as a pregnant woman, you may have to contend with emotional upheavals as well, feeling happy one moment and sad for no reason the next! To add to the mix, you may also feel the urge to have your household running smoothly even when you are heavily pregnant.
Beware though that certain tasks are simply not worth taking the risk to get done, for they are known to be risky during pregnancy, and even lead to premature delivery. Generally listed here are a few household chores that women are advised to be wary of, or to be extra careful with.
Lifting heavy loads (of laundry, for example)
As soon as you’re pregnant, you can expect your mom, husband, aunt, neighbour, and friends to remind you to never lift heavy things. You may choose to take this advice lightly, but the fact that your doctor will also advise you the same should count for something, hence you should take heed. The strain of carrying a growing baby and your center of gravity moving forward can leave your back strained and aching all the time.
When you carry heavy loads, such as a full basket of laundry that weighs 6 kilograms, you are just making things harder for yourself. Even if you don’t feel the strain immediately, you will in time. Hence, get help from your family members, partner to lift any heavy loads you might have as part of your household chores, and resist tackling it yourself!
Long periods of vacuuming, mopping and/or sweeping
Household chores such as sweeping, vacuuming, or mopping the floor requires quite a bit of bending over. The bigger the area you’re cleaning, the longer it will take and the longer you will be in a bending position to get the job done. Being in this position can lead to sciatica, a painful swelling of the sciatic nerve that runs down the back to the legs. The condition is likely to be aggravated due to weight gain and pressure on the uterus during pregnancy. If you feel sharp lower back pain and numbness then take a break and get off your feet, to relieve the pressure off the nerve. For the sake of your wellbeing, engage someone to help with these chores until you have given birth.
Using pesticides to kill bugs
Let’s face it – no one likes the thought of flies, mosquitoes, and other bugs in their house. Using conventional pesticide spray during your pregnancy, however, may spell danger for your unborn child. Chemicals in pesticides and other harsh cleaning agents, with strong fumes, are linked to neural tube defects, and deformities of the heart and limbs. It’s important to skip these and invest in safer, organic, and/or chemical-free alternatives to rid your home of pests. There are many available these days in the market. They may be a tad more expensive compared to conventional varieties, but it’s worth the sacrifice for the wellbeing of your pregnancy!
Being on your feet for too long
Pregnant women get these bursts of energy that make them want to do a whole lot of things at a go. If it involves being on your feet for long periods of time, it could spell trouble for your health, especially during the later stages of pregnancy. This is because standing for too long can disrupt the blood flow, increase the risk of high blood pressure, and may even lead to premature birth. Simplify your life as much as you can and take it easy during your pregnancy.
Cleaning shelves that are too high
There is nothing wrong with cleaning shelves, windows, or fans but if you are perched on stools and ladders while doing so, then it might be very risky. With a growing belly, the center of gravity in your body changes during pregnancy. This means you are extremely susceptible to falls, so avoid such situations, like trying to clean a high-up shelf or the top of tall furniture, or anything else that places you at a higher risk of falling over.
Cleaning kitty litter
As much as you love your cat, cleaning the litter box is not a good idea during pregnancy. This is because cat litter contains a parasite that causes toxoplasmosis. Although this infection is hardly severe for adults, it can harm the unborn baby, causing vision loss and brain damage. If you own a cat, arrange for someone else to handle this chore till after you have given birth. Remember, that digging the soil or gardening where an infected cat has left its feces can also lead to the infection being passed on to a pregnant woman, so be wary of that too.
Pregnant? Here are some points to keep in mind when it comes to household chores:
- Ask your husband or family members for help with certain tasks.
- Distribute your household chores in such a way that you do not require to do a large number of tasks at the same time.
- Think simple, and try not to go overboard when doing things like cooking a fancy meal or cleaning all the bathrooms at the same time.
- If you are tired, stop, and rest.
- Being pregnant does not mean that you stop moving or keep your house in a mess, but just be extra careful to not place yourself at risk.
Being active during pregnancy is essential for a healthy mom-to-be as it keeps the weight in check, prevents pregnancy complications, and allows new mothers to care for their babies better. However, some activities, such as the chores mentioned earlier, can be either risky or strenuous to pregnant women. Hence, they should be avoided for the safety of the mother and the baby.
