How exactly do I do that?

[Anonymous]

As some of you might remember I’m 16 weeks pregnant with #2. Anyway, I had a little emergency this morning and had to go to the ob/gyn. He told me that I have a very low lying placenta so no intercourse or lifting heavy objects. “Umm, dr…I have a one year old”, I told him. He goes “try not to pick her up”. That almost made me laugh. I can only imagine the conversation “hon, mama can’t pick you up now”. Ariella, with her hands up to me, whining “mmm, mama”. Yeah right!

[Anonymous]

I was put on bed rest with my second and Griffin was about 30lbs at the time. If I picked him up, I always sat down first and tried to use my upper body most. The squatting and lifting or bending over at the back is what causes more stress, so try to sit down and then pick her up. I know, totally not convenient, but better than having something happen and being on complete bed rest, or in the hospital the rest of the pregnancy!

[Anonymous]

I had placenta previa with both of my girls. Around 20 weeks with Alex I started spotting. The doctor told me to stop lifting and take it easy. Kaelyn was about 19 months old. I spent a lot of time sitting on the floor so she could run into my arms rather than picking her up. I wasn’t as good as I should have been though and I ended up on bedrest where I couldn’t do anything. So, I guess that I’m saying, Yes, you have to tell her that you can’t pick her up. It’s hard, but not as hard as bedrest.

[Anonymous]

Okay, I just reread my last post and it sounds really preachy. I didnt mean for it to come across that way. It is really hard, and there are definitely times when you’ll have to pick her up, but try to take it easy and go down to her rather than picking her up. I also found that I had to let a lot of things go around the house so I could spend more time down at her level and keep her occupied.

[Anonymous]

Thank you, Erica and Kim, for your suggestions. With Ariella, my placenta was very high and there was no problem. With this pregnancy, it’s covering my cervix. I just hope it doesn’t cause any future problems.

[Anonymous]

Sarah was already 30 pounds when I was pregnant with Hailey but only a year old and couldn’t even walk yet. I was quite sick during my pregnancy and had some spotting and had to refrain from picking her up as much as possible. It was really hard, so I know how you must feel. I did much like the others- I sat down on the couch and had her climb up onto my lap whenever possible to hold her and I’d just sit with her. I had her climb the stairs herself as much as possible. When I was going to pick her up, I tried as much as I could to get her to climb up onto our bench or couch first, and then I’d lift her. But it wasn’t always possible. Often I’d enlist the help of others- at home, at the daycare- to help me lift her and carry her, or put her in the car. Good luck. I hope that everything goes fine.

[Anonymous]

With Kaelyn, my placenta moved up and into place before I delivered, so there is hope! I like Lori’s suggestions too. I did a lot of those and forgot all about them.

My arthritis is really bad this week, so I can’t pick up Alex (or get off of the floor if I get down there with her), so I’ve done a lot of sitting in a chair and having her come to me. We’ve also been practicing sliding down the stairs so I don’t have to carry her. She’s done pretty well with it. It’s actually Kaelyn that’s having trouble adjusting!

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