How should you sit on a chair during pregnancy?
You need to start getting used to the correct fit 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 entirely healthy habits. The rules are quite simple: your back and neck must remain straight, your arms bent, and your feet flat on the floor. This can be achieved, first of all, by carefully choosing the model of a chair or work chair. It should have a back that supports the pregnant woman’s back, as well as armrests designed to give rest to the arms. It is better to choose the height of the chair so that your feet rest comfortably and evenly 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 bend to the side, and especially do not lift heavy objects in this position. During pregnancy, bones and cartilage are much softer than in normal conditions, so the risk of injury increases many times over.
IMPORTANT : you cannot sit cross-legged. This body position overloads the spine and impedes blood circulation, which increases the risk of developing varicose veins in the mother and provokes hypoxia in the baby.
https://youtu.be/tYWrszu2mrU
What other poses remain prohibited during pregnancy?
In addition to the method under consideration, doctors also do not recommend sitting:
- in Turkish;
- with legs tucked (on heels);
- crossing them.
The reason in all cases is the same - poor circulation in the pelvic area.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wbdhvF4n8Vg
Causes of insomnia during pregnancy
As a rule, expectant mothers learn that they should not squat from mature, experienced women. Moreover, in the overwhelming majority of cases, none of them is able to clearly explain what caused this ban. In the old days, it was believed that staying in such a position could cause injury to the fetus or, even worse, provoke premature delivery of the child.
However, medical science has advanced greatly over the past few decades. And it would seem that an unambiguous answer has already been found to such a simple question. But, alas, nothing of the kind happened. Specialists - gynecologists and obstetricians - in response usually begin to express their own value judgments and nothing more.
How should you sit at the 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. You need to place the monitor so that its top point is located just above eye level. This will keep your head straight naturally.
- Nowadays, few people use outdated technology, however, just in case, let us clarify that volumetric monitors with a thick beam tube emit dangerous electromagnetic radiation. Working with such a monitor is strictly prohibited for pregnant women.
- It is forbidden for a laptop or computer system unit to be in close proximity to the stomach; in particular, it is prohibited to place a laptop on your knees.
- Wired Internet is preferable to wireless. This limitation can be neglected in the modern world, since wireless Internet is now available almost everywhere and it is simply impossible to protect yourself from it. This limitation is due to the fact that the effect of wi-fi on the human body has not yet been fully studied, but research is being actively carried out and no strict contraindications have yet been identified.
Why can't pregnant women sit cross-legged, squat or cross-legged?
Having become pregnant, every woman needs to come to terms with the fact that her life will change dramatically in the next 9 months. For example, you can’t work as before, these are changes in physiology, so what was commonplace before pregnancy is now becoming a ban. Throughout pregnancy, a woman only hears advice from doctors and relatives about what is possible and what is not. Due to the large number of prohibitions, a lot of questions arise in a woman’s head: “Is it possible to do this?”, “Can pregnant women squat?”, “Will I harm the child?”, “If not, then why?” . Answers to some of the most frequently asked questions in this article.
How to drive?
Many ladies continue to drive a car right up to the time they give birth. To make this process convenient and safe, you need to follow a number of simple rules:
- Use a special lumbar bolster. It will relieve the load on the spine and relieve back pain, which often bothers pregnant women after sitting for a long time behind the wheel.
- It is better to adjust the chair so that your knees are at the same level as your hips or slightly higher.
- Use seat belts at all times and everywhere while in the driver's or passenger's seat. Sharp braking or a minor collision can have irreparable consequences for a pregnant woman. If your pregnancy is already advanced and a regular belt is inconvenient to use, you can purchase a special belt for pregnant women, which is more elastic and equipped with an additional attachment point. Thanks to this, it does not put pressure on the stomach.
- The driver's seat must be adjusted so that the steering wheel is opposite the chest.
More on the topic
Why pregnant women should not sit cross-legged
Should I use a seat belt during pregnancy?
Why should you not lift weights during pregnancy?
Massage during pregnancy: is it possible or not?
Why can't pregnant women raise their arms up?
Signs and beliefs
From time immemorial, pregnancy has aroused the interest of others; over time, certain rules and beliefs have developed. Our grandmothers thought that if you cross your legs or place one leg on top of the other, the child may be born cross-eyed or bow-legged, and that by squatting, you can crush the child.
During pregnancy, you have to sacrifice some familiar positions. It is better to think in advance and eliminate errors before they occur, than to provoke possible problems through ignorance or negligence.
What are the dangers of prolonged sitting and how to minimize the harm?
It must be remembered that sitting for a long time during pregnancy is undesirable. There are situations when prolonged sitting cannot be avoided - for example, if you are stuck in a traffic jam. However, even in this case, there are ways to take care of your body by slightly changing your body position: 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 take a walk in the 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 excessive stress on the spinal axis, which is especially dangerous if the back muscles are underdeveloped. Some muscle groups become overly tense, while others, on the contrary, relax and lose tone. As a result, the vertebrae are overloaded and deformed. Scoliosis worsens. In the most advanced cases, it can lead to the appearance of vertebral hernias.
Pregnant women are often concerned about cervical osteochondrosis. For prevention, it is very useful to tilt your head in different directions, which at the same time improves cerebral circulation.
The load on blood vessels during prolonged sitting is also very high and is fraught with the formation of blood clots, the development of varicose veins, which disfigures the legs and creates enormous physical discomfort. Enlarged, protruding veins can appear not only on the legs, but also on the labia, forming so-called “snake balls.” At the first signs of varicose veins or a family predisposition, it makes sense to start wearing compression underwear and stockings that prevent blood stagnation in the limbs and pelvic organs.
Can pregnant women squat?
While waiting for a new life, many, even the most ordinary actions of the expectant mother can cause harm to the baby in her womb.
That is why a woman who cares about the condition of her unborn baby should monitor everything she does as carefully as possible and try to avoid making serious mistakes. In this article we will tell you whether pregnant women can squat, and how this position can harm the unborn baby.
Is it possible to squat during pregnancy?
The overwhelming majority of doctors, when asked whether pregnant women can squat, answer unequivocally - it’s impossible. Expectant mothers themselves also subconsciously understand that by regularly taking this position, they can harm the baby they carry under their hearts, however, they cannot explain what exactly this is connected with.
Let's try to figure out why you can't squat during pregnancy. Contrary to popular belief, it is impossible to crush or pinch the fetus while in this position, since it is very well protected from the negative effects of external factors by amniotic fluid. Meanwhile, the squatting position of the body causes a significant increase in tension in the abdominal muscles, which often causes an increase in uterine tone. Thus, the habit of squatting for a long time and often during pregnancy can provoke a miscarriage or the onset of premature labor.
Women prone to varicose veins and thrombophlebitis should be especially careful.
While squatting, blood circulation in the lower extremities is disrupted, as a result of which the situation may worsen. Often, after being in this position for a long time, pregnant women feel discomfort in their legs, which is accompanied by swelling.
Meanwhile, after the 38th week of pregnancy, when it is time for the baby to be born, a doctor may advise you to squat in order to speed up the approach of birth. In any case, it is highly not recommended to do this on your own; you should first consult a doctor.
Why pregnant women should not squat
When a woman is pregnant, she has to give up some habits so as not to harm the child. There are many nuances that the expectant mother should familiarize herself with in advance. Let's take a closer look at why pregnant women should not squat.
Popular superstition or another legend?
Many expectant mothers learn from the older generation that squatting while carrying a baby is prohibited. Although, rarely can anyone say exactly why pregnant women should not squat. This ban has long been explained by the fact that such a position can lead to “crushing the baby” or premature birth.
In reality, it is impossible to answer this question unambiguously. Even if you ask your gynecologist about this, you can only hear his personal opinion.
What do doctors think?
In the case when there are no complications during pregnancy, at the early stage of bearing a baby, the expectant mother can be in any position, the main thing is that it does not cause discomfort. During this period, you can even squat.
Changes occur as the fetus grows. In the fifth month of pregnancy, the expectant mother needs to more closely monitor her own feelings and give up many habits. Some women, while carrying a baby, don’t even ask themselves why pregnant women can’t squat, because as the baby grows, the belly of the expectant mother also increases, so this position becomes simply uncomfortable.
How to lie down correctly?
It is advisable to lie on your side during pregnancy. This is especially important in the later stages. If you lie on your back for a long time, then, firstly, this will put a lot of stress on the lumbosacral spine, and secondly, you can compress the large vena cava and impair 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, place a pillow between your knees or buy a special pillow for pregnant women. Only your head should rest on the main pillow, not your shoulders.
Correct poses for expectant mothers
During pregnancy, special attention should be paid to correct posture. It is not recommended to slouch or arch your back. It is most beneficial 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 is straight and high enough. Two landing options are considered natural. In the first case, the back rests on the backrest, and the arms rest on the armrests or table. In the second, you should sit closer to the edge of the seat, but so that your buttocks lie completely on it and are relaxed.
How can a pregnant woman sit 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 chairs. But if necessary, in both cases the fit can be adjusted using a small lumbar cushion. If you do not have such a device on hand, you can replace it with a rolled up terry towel or a decorative pillow.
Why can't girls squat? Probably, many girls have heard that they do not want to squat, but few know why. In this article we will try to figure out why girls should not squat.
This habit of squatting appears in us since childhood and is so commonplace that we squat involuntarily, without thinking about whether it is possible to do it or not.
It is enough to remember in what position we work in the garden or clean the house, and it immediately becomes clear that we very often squat. But few people know that girls, especially pregnant women, are prohibited from taking this position.
Benefits of squats during pregnancy
If the period of gestation of the baby proceeds “without any peculiarities,” the expectant mother should not limit herself from moderate physical activity, nor should she radically change her usual lifestyle. This statement also applies to sports. Of course, we are not talking about active work, but classes within the framework of special programs for pregnant women will help women maintain the necessary physical shape. In the lists of exercises of such complexes, squats are often found. If the doctor leading the pregnancy sees no restrictions for such activity, the woman can start training (under the supervision of an instructor!).
- Squatting stimulates stretching and strengthening of the pelvic floor muscles, preparing them for childbirth.
- Exercise reduces the likelihood of ruptures.
Why can't you sit with your back to the window?
It is impossible to say that this ban is irrelevant today, because Feng Shui supports this rule, and people believe that this is a bad omen.
- Feng Shui. The point is that while a person is sitting at the table, the element of water, not air, should be located behind him, so it is better to place the table in such a way that behind you is:
- aquarium
- water boiler
- a stove on which there is always a full kettle of water
This has a beneficial effect both on work issues and tasks, and on digestion.
- Beliefs:
- A person must see the enemy in the face, so that if he looks into his window, the person is ready for an attack (in the case of one-story houses).
- The light energy must fall completely on the person, and not just on his back; the person must be aware of what is happening behind him (in this case, from outside the house)
If you believe in superstitions, there is nothing wrong with that. The main thing is that you still believe in your own strength, and do not rely solely on some signs. Be careful, but do not forget that many signs have no reason to believe them 100%.