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 the expectant mother and intrauterine hypoxia in 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. An interesting fact is that squats during pregnancy are included in many special gymnastics complexes. Sports activities for expectant mothers are not only not prohibited, but 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 attend a couple of 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 in the last months of 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 paid to 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 chairs. 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.

During pregnancy, a woman should be especially attentive to her body, listen to it and take care of her health. Someone has to completely change their lifestyle, 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?

Getting used to the correct fit should begin 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 useful 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 veins 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 the 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 effect of wi-fi on the human body has not yet been fully studied, but research is being carried out actively 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 the break, it is best to go for a walk in the fresh air, if the weather and the situation allows. 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 tilt the head in different directions, 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.
• Do a few slow circular motions with your 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 by the labor code positively affect the outcome of pregnancy and improve the quality of a woman's future life. After all, with the birth of a child, everything only begins!

Specially for- Elena Kichak

The second half of pregnancy is characterized by an increased load on the spinal column, which leads to the growth of the uterus. Symptoms of unacceptable loads are lower back pain that occurs after prolonged sitting. In addition, a long sitting position provokes stagnation of blood in the small pelvis. Given that during pregnancy, venous outflow worsens and pressure in the abdominal cavity increases, the likelihood of hemorrhoids increases. That is why you can not sit pregnant for a long time. But is it possible for pregnant women to sit at all? Of course you can, just follow a few simple guidelines!

We sit right

If prolonged sitting cannot be avoided, for example, at work, make sure that your back and neck are straight, and your legs bent at the knees rest on the floor. The arms at the elbows should be bent at a right angle. The chair should have armrests and a backrest, its height should be adjusted so that the legs are firmly planted on the floor. If necessary, a footrest can be used. Arrange all the necessary things and objects so that when you get them, you do not have to bend to the side or forward, especially if you need to lift a heavy thing.

We sit for a short time

How to sit pregnant so that it does not harm either the expectant mother or the child? It is very important not to sit for a long time. During work, take breaks for yourself: every 45 minutes, break for a fifteen-minute warm-up - stand up, stretch, walk. If possible, go outside, get some fresh air. But even during 45 minutes of work, do not sit still - change your position at least three to four times. When traveling by plane, train or car, also change position more often, toss and turn. Try to walk as soon as possible.

It is clear that pregnant women can sit at the computer, just make sure that the top point of the monitor is slightly higher or directly in front of the eyes. This will keep your head straight. But sitting cross-legged is not recommended. In this position, the load of the spinal column rapidly increases, the pelvis bends forward, which immediately responds with back pain. In addition, due to squeezing of the vessels, the blood supply to the pelvic organs, and hence the uterus and fetus, deteriorates.

As a representative of office plankton, I could not help but be interested in the question of how the hell to sit at the table all day so that my back does not ache. I went to work the second day after the "vacation" and I feel that everything is already hard to sit ... I found an article in someone else's magazine, so I'm sharing it.

How do you sit at your computer/desk? Maybe you have revealed the secret of how to sit so that your back does not hurt? :) put some kind of pillow there, maybe ....?

It is important for a future mother to know how to sit during pregnancy. At the very beginning of pregnancy, the load is insignificant and changes in the figure are not as serious as in later periods. But already at this time it is better to accustom yourself to the rules of how to sit during pregnancy.
Prolonged sitting during pregnancy
With a long stay in a sitting position, some muscle groups are constantly working, while others are relaxed. At the same time, the muscles of the back are not stressed, which reduces the intensity of blood circulation in the spine. In addition, in the sitting position, the intervertebral discs have a slightly greater load than in the supine or standing position. All these negative factors can cause osteochondrosis, herniated disc, which provokes the appearance of pain in the back, legs, arms, and headaches.

In the second half of pregnancy, when the load on the spinal column increases due to the fact that the uterus grows, with a long sitting position, pain in the lumbar spine is provoked. Also, the occurrence of stagnation of blood in the small pelvis is also associated with being in a sitting position for a long time. Given that during pregnancy, an increase in pressure in the abdominal cavity and a deterioration in venous outflow provoke the appearance of hemorrhoids, it follows that a long sitting position can aggravate the situation.
How to sit properly during pregnancy
To avoid the above complications, you need to have knowledge of how to sit during pregnancy and how not to sit during pregnancy. If you have to sit for a long time, then the optimal position of the body is when the neck and back are straight, the legs are bent at the knees and are on the floor. The arms should be bent at the elbows at a right angle. This situation can be achieved using the following methods:

1. The chair must have a back and armrests. And also it should be of such a height that the legs will stand firmly on the floor. With the help of the backrest, the back will be kept straight, and the armrests provide rest for the hands. With the correct position of the legs, blood circulation will not be disturbed in them. You can use a footrest;

2. Items that you frequently use should be arranged in such a way that they do not lead to the need for a long stay in a bent state, tilting to the side, especially to lift heavy objects, since it is in the case of such a tilt that the likelihood of damage to the intervertebral disc is high. ;

3. If possible, it is necessary to limit a long stay in a sitting position, breaks should be taken during work: you work for 45 minutes, and you need to take 15 minutes to rest, and you need not just to be distracted, but to pull yourself up, get up, walk. If possible, you can go outside and get some fresh air. For 45 minutes of continuous work, you need to change your posture at least 3-4 times. For example, shake your shoulders, move your legs, shake your head. Thanks to such simple movements, fatigue can be avoided. In addition, doing special exercises helps a lot. These can be turns and tilts of the head, with the help of which cerebral circulation improves, and this, in turn, is a good prevention of cervical osteochondrosis. Simultaneous rotation in the lumbar spine and forward tilt should be avoided. When traveling in a car, train, plane, you also need to periodically change position. As the opportunity arises, it is advisable to take a walk;

4. When working with a computer, the monitor should be positioned so that its top point is directly in front of the eyes or slightly higher. Thanks to this, the head will be kept straight;

5. When working in a sitting position or while riding in a vehicle, you can do exercises to help prepare for childbirth: you need to squeeze the muscles of the vagina, as if you want to keep from urinating. Do this counting to 10, then rest for a few seconds, repeat 3-5 times;

6. Do not cross your legs, as this may cause too much overload on the spinal column, bending the pelvis forward, as a result of which back pain may increase. In addition, due to squeezing of the vessels, there is a deterioration in the blood supply to the pelvic organs, including the uterus, the fetus. If the baby began to move very actively, then this means that he does not have enough oxygen. Therefore, you need to change your position, lie down or walk around, listening to the baby. When he is comfortable, he will calm down.

Thus, having all the necessary information about whether it is possible to sit during pregnancy and how to do it correctly, you can ensure maximum comfort for yourself and your baby.

Why and what not to do when pregnant

What can pregnant women do and what not, and what can result in non-compliance with well-known recommendations? They are given both by gynecologists and familiar experienced mothers, there are also people's advice, it should also be noted that sometimes they are not bad. There are restrictions on what pregnant women should not do in the early stages, but are allowed in the later ones. More about all this.

1. Douching. This is a previously widely used therapeutic effect, which was used for various gynecological diseases affecting the vagina. With the help of a douche, women irrigate the vagina with a therapeutic agent and receive a therapeutic effect. Moreover, the effect is local, not on the whole body, which is also often a plus.
However, douching should not be done by pregnant women, since this procedure has a side effect - with a jet of liquid, you can infect the uterus, and this will most likely end in a miscarriage. Not to mention the fact that careless and inept actions can damage the walls of the vagina and the cervix. Doctors prescribe vaginal suppositories and tablets as a treatment for expectant mothers, it is much safer and more convenient.

2. Experience stress. A strong nervous shock can even lead to miscarriage or premature birth. Therefore, expectant mothers are not advised to read scary stories, watch crime news. Pregnant women should not go to funerals and cemeteries, at least if possible. But if everything is clear with the dead, it’s really not worth looking at them for the expectant mother, then why do they say that she shouldn’t go to the temple of God? Some superstitious people claim that this is a bad omen. Remember that pregnant women should not go to church - this is not true.

3. Starve, follow an unbalanced and low-calorie diet. Losing the weight of the mother is dangerous, including for the child, as he may not receive enough nutrients. And as a result of this, to lag behind in their development from the gestational age, to be born weak and underweight. Especially at an early stage, pregnant women should not limit themselves in natural vitamins. Since a lack of, for example, folic acid can provoke severe malformations of the embryo that are incompatible with life. You need to eat varied. The menu of a pregnant woman should be daily cereals, vegetables, fruits, dairy products and meat.

4. Smoke and drink alcohol. Pregnant women should not do this. Even during the planning of pregnancy, a woman should give up bad habits that are so dangerous for the unborn child. But if the pregnancy came unplanned and, for example, in a state of intoxication, it should not be interrupted only because of fear about the health of the child. Since the fetal egg has not yet developed, is not connected with the mother's body by the circulatory system, most likely everything will work out well. If the embryo is damaged, then in the very first weeks of pregnancy, the fetal egg will stop developing, or spontaneous miscarriage will occur.
The adoption of alcohol by a pregnant woman, even in small quantities, reduces the intelligence of the child. Smoking is less dangerous, but also almost always leads to hypoxia (lack of oxygen) in the child, slowing down their weight gain.

5. Pregnant women should not take medicines, biologically active supplements, vitamins, unless they have been prescribed by a doctor. Ideally, the less a woman takes any "chemistry" during pregnancy, the better. Only folic acid and potassium iodide are needed, according to indications in the second half of pregnancy, calcium and iron preparations.

6. Get some examinations. For example, in the first trimester of a pregnant woman, it is impossible to take an x-ray, especially if more than 2-3 weeks have passed since ovulation - conception. Ultrasound is considered a safe study, but nevertheless it is better not to undergo it outside the screening terms and without a good reason.
As for gynecological examinations, they are safe and will not provoke a miscarriage. You don't need to be afraid of them. Even colposcopy - examination of the cervix using a special optical device is safe, although it should be performed only according to strict indications, as it can cause discomfort and hypertonicity of the uterus in a pregnant woman.
It is possible and necessary to treat the teeth of expectant mothers. An untreated infection can even lead to fetal death. Don't be afraid of dentists. As anesthesia during pregnancy, they use only safe, approved drugs.

7. Pregnant women should not lift weights., as this can provoke at least uterine hypertonicity or even abortion. In the early stages, detachment of the fetal egg may occur. And after 16 weeks, strong stress can provoke a rupture of the fetal bladder and a late miscarriage.

8. Do gymnastics that is not intended for expectant mothers. Here are some exercises that pregnant women should not do, for example:

• to strengthen the abdominal muscles;
• slopes;
• any exercises that are performed lying on your back (raising legs, for example); - jumping;
• and any others that can provoke uterine hypertonicity - pregnant women should not raise their hands with various weighting agents, for example, with dumbbells.

9. Eat food that can cause poisoning or intestinal infection. That is, you can not eat meat with blood, raw eggs or soft-boiled, soft cheeses. Poisoning or intestinal infection is very dangerous, especially in severe cases, when dehydration sets in, and it becomes necessary to take strong antibiotics.

10. Sit cross-legged, stay upright for a long time- all this can provoke swelling and venous stasis. And if you practice this often, then symptoms of varicose veins may appear. The expectant mother, especially at a long pregnancy, needs more rest, and when resting lying down, it is advisable to raise her legs slightly above head level.

11. Visit a bath, sauna, take a hot bath. Here's what pregnant women should also not do to avoid miscarriage. There are many stories of women bleeding after visiting a bath, for example. A hot bath can lead to fainting due to a rapid drop in blood pressure.

12. Sleep on your back. For long periods, this is not only inconvenient, but can also lead to a lack of oxygen in the fetus, since in this position of the body of the expectant mother, her inferior vena cava is squeezed.

14. Do not interact with young children unless you have previously had chickenpox (chickenpox) and rubella and have not been vaccinated against them. Rubella infection in the first trimester is an indication for artificial termination of pregnancy.

15. Do not visit public places. If possible, limit your visits to the clinic, shops, travel by public transport. All in order to avoid infection with infections transmitted by airborne droplets.

These are all self-evident recommendations. But there are very ambiguous and incomprehensible. For example, it is not clear why pregnant women should not shop before the baby is born. After all, then it will not be until then. And every woman wants to choose a stroller, crib, bath and other baby things to her taste. However, there are well-known folk signs for pregnant women, what you can’t do - you can’t buy baby clothes before the birth of a child, as this can bring misfortune to him. This is a bad omen. Of course, it's nonsense. And it is much more pleasant and calmer to buy everything in advance and without haste.

Another incomprehensible sign that pregnant women should not cut their hair. Allegedly, in this way, the mother shortens the life of the child. This is superstition. It is harmful for the expectant mother not to monitor her appearance.

There are also very ambiguous signs on the topic of needlework. Allegedly, a pregnant woman cannot sew, knit, embroider, etc. In fact, this pastime has a very positive effect on the nervous system. And you don’t need to drink valerian to calm down, you just need to keep your hands busy with needlework.

From all that has been said, the conclusion follows that you only need to listen to the recommendations of your doctor, and the rest, which are given by people without the appropriate education, should be ignored.