Does your job require you to stand for long hours? If so, you might want to switch the nature of your job after reading this. Standing for long hours in pregnancy is not good. Prolonged standing may affect the overall health of the baby or may lead to pregnancy complications, especially in a high-risk pregnancy.
Although, it is generally safe for a pregnant woman to stand all day. In any case, if you have a physically demanding job, you should be able to move around or take breaks to sit down. Your healthcare provider should be contacted if you are being told that you are at high risk for preterm delivery or your baby is measuring small. The position is critical when you need to stand for a long period of time.
In This Article
- Is Standing for Long Periods During Pregnancy Safe?
- How Long Should You Stand When Pregnant?
- How Does Standing For Long Hours Affect You And The Baby?
- What If I Have A Job That Keeps Me On My Feet?
- FAQ’s
Is Standing for Long Periods During Pregnancy Safe?
Everyday physical activities, including your house chores, aren’t an issue. In fact, light stretching and moderate exercises can be beneficial during pregnancy after your healthcare provider’s approval. Typically, standing during pregnancy is safe. Nevertheless, prolonged standing and lifting heavy objects may increase the risk of preterm labor and miscarriage (1).
Hence, it’s good to avoid prolonged standing, especially in the case of high-risk pregnancy. You can take short breaks in between. Sit down for a while, rest for a few minutes, and then resume working. Moreover, it’s a smart move to move your legs from time to time. You can go for short walks or stretch your lower limb muscles. This will keep the blood flowing while reducing swelling, pain, and discomfort during and after pregnancy (2).
How Long Should You Stand When Pregnant?
During pregnancy, the body undergoes a lot of changes. Changes in the hormones affect the joints, ligaments, and posture, which makes the pregnant woman prone to injuries. Further, the weakening of the joints affects balance and coordination, which increases the risk of falls (3). This could make normal standing difficult. Hence, if you consider standing, it’s better to stand for a while, maybe for 15 to 30 minutes, followed by a short break. Furthermore, avoid physically demanding tasks, especially in high-risk pregnancies. Check with the doctor to ensure your and your baby’s health.
How Does Standing For Long Hours Affect You And The Baby?
Today, more and more women step out to work and continue to work during their pregnancy. A woman, by all means, and if not recommended otherwise by the doctor, should continue to work and millions of women do just that.
We have changed as a society, but we must not ignore the health of our pregnant women and unborn fetus for the sake of a job. Some jobs, like that of a teacher, cashier, food preparation, and child care require you to stand on your feet for long periods. If you are in such a job, you must maintain a balance between working during pregnancy and proper pregnancy care.
1. Increased Edema
Edema is swelling of the feet during pregnancy. Pregnant women suffer from edema to a certain extent and prolonged periods of standing might just aggravate the condition (4). Hence, prolonged standing must be avoided. Or standing could be coupled with rest, if the situation demands.
2. Pubic Pain
Symphysis Pubis Dysfunction (SPD) during pregnancy is a condition wherein the ligament that aligns your pelvic bone is either too stretchy or relaxed. You might observe pain in your pelvic region, with most of it around the pelvic bone (5). Standing for long hours can worsen the symptoms of SPD and pubic pain.
3. Can Lower The Blood Pressure
Standing for long periods tends to lower blood pressure in pregnant women. If your blood pressure drops, you can get light-headed and potentially even faint.
4. May Slow Fetal Growth
In the study conducted, it was observed that for women who were on their feet for long periods of standing, the fetal growth rates were considerably slower. The babies also had a smaller head, approximately 1 cm lesser than those born to mothers who did not stand that long (6). Standing in an almost motionless position may compromise blood flow to the baby.
What If I Have A Job That Keeps Me On My Feet?
Speak with the management regarding your pregnancy issues. They may be able to help you by switching you to another department where you don’t have to stand all day or might reduce your work hours. If that’s not possible, ask if a chair or stool can be used during work or if more breaks can be given.
- Being on your feet would not be a big problem as long as you walk around. Wear comfortable shoes with good arch support and try to take frequent breaks.
- Consider wearing compression stockings that will help when you are standing for long periods. These provide compression and help your leg discomfort and they work by promoting blood circulation. Increased blood circulation will prevent swollen feet (7).
- When you approach the end of the second trimester, a maternity belt can also help. Wearing it during the final phase of your pregnancy gives support by lifting the belly. It reduces fatigue by reducing the amount of work the mid and lower back has to do.
- Take occasional short walks. Walking around, particularly, helps in easing delivery and constipation. Blood clotting can occur if pregnant women sit for long periods. In that case, your baby may not get enough blood.
- Have plenty of water and juices during the day. Stay away from caffeinated drinks though.
- Sit down for 15 minutes every hour. And when you do sit, don’t cross your legs rather prop up your feet if swelling is an issue.
- Don’t forget to manage your stress level. Do not work in excessively stressful work conditions. You can do some breathing exercises and meditation that will help you maintain a happy state of mind.
It was not clear in the study whether standing for long hours in pregnancy can affect the health of the baby. It is very difficult to say that the finding in this study is clinically significant. So let us conclude that when you work on a job that keeps you on your feet, it may affect the growth of the baby in the womb. But to see if head size has an effect on the babies’ neurodevelopment you would have to follow them for many years as they grow up.
FAQ’s
1. How Long Is Standing Too Long While Pregnant?
Not only is it risky for a pregnant woman to stand for lengthy periods of time, but it may also be uncomfortable. A pregnant woman shouldn’t stand for more than four or five hours at a time, and she should take numerous breaks throughout the day.
2. Can Standing For Long Hours Cause Pain During Pregnancy?
The additional weight of a pregnant woman may place a strain on the lower back and legs, making it uncomfortable to stand for extended periods of time. This gets more noticeable as the pregnancy develops. Prolonged standing may impede fetal growth because of less blood flow to the uterus.
3. Is it Bad to Stand Up Fast While Pregnant?
Standing during pregnancy is considered safe. However, it’s good to get up slowly from the sitting position. Stretch your muscles a bit before standing to resist fatigue, cramps, or falls. This will ensure smooth and easy position transitioning.
References
- Effects of long working hours and shift work during pregnancy on obstetric and perinatal outcomes: A large prospective cohort study—Japan Environment and Children’s Study
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7065104/ - The effect of stretching exercise and walking on changes of blood pressure in nulliparous women
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4387644/ - The Effects of Pregnancy on the Musculoskeletal System
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/12578691 - Edema in pregnancy
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/9185112/ - Pregnancy-related symphysis pubis dysfunction management and postpartum rehabilitation: two case reports
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3364059/ - Physically demanding work, fetal growth and the risk of adverse birth outcomes. The Generation R Study
https://oem.bmj.com/content/69/8/543 - Effects of compression stockings on blood circulation in late pregnancy
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/3623042/
