Shoveling snow while pregnant

[Chrissy05]

I suppose this question mostly applies to the ladies who live in a colder climate and who get a decent amount of snow, but do you still shovel the snow while pregnant?

If you do shovel snow, have you had any negative effects or symptoms, and how far into your pregnancies have you continued to shovel?

Thanks!

 

[SaraVO]

I think if its part of your normal routine than you're allowed to continue doing it. I don't shovel snow, we do get some but my husband always takes care of the outside chores.

 

[Amygdala]

I'd try to avoid it if you can. Not because it'll hurt baby but because it can make things worse for you. I had bad spd last time and I learned that one of the reasons you're not supposed to lift heavy weights etc is that it can make your hips and other joints worse later on. Same goes for pushing a heavy shopping trolley btw! So if someone else can do it, I'd take it easy while you're pregnant.

 

[george83]

I'd agree that if your used to doing it then you'd be fine to carry on but likewise if there's somebody else to do it then let them, there's no point risking anything when somebody can do it for you. I had a funny moment last year when I was about 6 months pregnant and my colleagues all banned me from doing any snow clearing but another collegues who was about 2 months pregnant (I was the only one at work who knew at the time) and felt like crap was expected to carry on and help, she wasn't amused!!

 

[mari35racz36]

I do shovel snow when not pregnant and will do it if necessary.. But only if the snow is light and fluffy. If its heavy and wet, I will let my hubby shovel.. We just have to be careful for icy patches. I fell once when pregnant with my DD, but all was good.

 

[PugLuvAh]

I still shovel, and have through my other pregnancies all the way till the end. I live in Ontario, with kids born in Feb and early April so there is always still snow around my place. This baby is due in early March so I'll still be shoveling away before my due date Its great exercise, you just need to be cautious.

Just take it slow and be careful if the snow is heavy not to lift, just to push. Take breaks when you need to, and wear a good tread on your boot to grip on any icy patches.

 

[Deni85]

I'm also in Ontario and I usually shovel the snow because DH has more back pain than me when he does it. Now that I'm pregnant, I asked my personal trainer who is also a very knowledgeable physiotherapist and he said that as long as I feel well, I can shovel snow during pregnancy, of course carefully and not to the point of getting out of breath tired. But i have been exercising very hard for a year, 2-3 times a week with weight lifting and intense cardio the last 3 months, so for me it takes a while to get my heart rate up. If your heart rate goes up to the point where you can't carry on a conversation and you're gasping for air, definitely don't do it!

 

[theraphosidae]

I have severe lung disease so even before pregnancy I never shovelled, it's too hard on my lungs. I can manage if it's not too cold or windy and the snow is soft, but once I combine physical exertion with the cold, I can't even last 5 minutes without being able to breathe. Luckily my OH is really good about shovelling and makes sure it's always done for me in the morning so I can get the car out of my driveway after a snowfall.

 

[Amalee]

This is my second pregnancy, with a second July due date. I live in New England. We had an awful winter my first pregnancy, so I helped out when I could. I was fine with it for the most part, it just got a little rough when I needed to really lift and twist.

This time, we've only had two storms that we've had to shovel for (though for one of them, we had to do double duty and shovel out my parents' house since they were away), and I've happily stayed out shoveling with my husband while the little one played. No problems this year, though I was more careful to push snow into piles for my DH to deal with when I would have had to lift and throw it.

 

[stiletto_mom]

I shoveled this morning. But I did it's slower than usual and shoveled lighter loads than usual. Took more breaks and changed positions more often.

I also didn't shovel the entire driveway. I did the walkway and a top layer enough to get the vehicle out. Left the rest for DH.