[LovingJesusinAZ]

I had my monthly OB check this AM--everything is going well. I am 18.5 weeks and the baby's h/b was fluctuating between 156 and 159. I had an u/s at a lab yesterday, instead of at my Dr's office today, as was planned, and that report came back normal. I am having a perfectly normal pregnancy, just as I did with my son. (He was born at 41wks, 1 day--no pre-term baby for me!!)

Today we closed on a brand new house which means we'll be moving soon. I asked my OB today about lifting and helping out, because as much as I'd love to sit back and let everyone else do all the work--that's just not my personality. I mentioned that DS (who is 20 months) weighs about 27lbs and my Dr. said "Well . . . you shouldn't even really be lifting him" He warned me that straining myself could cause me to start having contractions.

Ok . . . I get the whole not moving heavy boxes and I think between DH, my mom, and good friend (who will all be helping us move) I won't be allowed to lift anything heavier than a towel during the move!! Others will be there, but I have a feeling those 3 will be the strictest

Anyway . . . I've decided it's not practical for me to not lift my son. I'll try to be more cautious about how I lift him, how often I do it, etc., but the reality is with a toddler I'm picking him up all day. How have you dealt with being pregnant and lifting toddlers?

[kjdama]

During my pregnancy with my daughter, my son was constantly whining for me to pick him up and carry him. Thankfully, though, my mother in law wouldn't allow me to carry him around (she's a lot more into all those 'old-wives' tales). I had tons of help with my son though. It seems like that you will have just as much help. It is hard to not pick up a toddler, I understand. I tried to snuggle and hold my son when I was sitting down as much as possible. Every once in a while I did pick him up, but of course my MIL would get mad at me and take him out of my arms!!!

[DK615617]

That is a really good question. How can you not pick up a toddler???
How would you ever go anywhere. I have to pick Tiffany up just to get her in the car. And then practically toss her into the carseat.( Honda Civic- not much room in it ) Wow. Is it possible to get through pregnancy without picking up a toddler?? I don't see how.

[altland]

I feel your pain. I am in the same boat. I am due Sept22. We just moved to Florida from Tennessee without help. My boyfriend had to do it all. I felt so bad. I insisted on packing smaller boxes so they wouldn't be as heavy. I carried the loose stuff, like big toys, blankets, clothes. It was really hard, because I was one of those that helped move furniture during previous moves.
Now our other problem: The toddler. Mine is 30+ pounds. It hurts to lift him. So I am reminded when I want to scoop him up and carry him away. I am learning to bend down to his level and talk to him instead of picking him up. I have been teaching him to hold my hand when we walk. When he insists on being held, I sit with him. I have had to stop shopping at times just to sit and hold him. They don't understand. They just need love and comfort.
Let me know if you come up with any other ideas. I am listening!!! Good luck with the move!!!

[LovingJesusinAZ]

Originally Posted by DK615617

That is a really good question. How can you not pick up a toddler???
How would you ever go anywhere. I have to pick Tiffany up just to get her in the car. And then practically toss her into the carseat.( Honda Civic- not much room in it ) Wow. Is it possible to get through pregnancy without picking up a toddler?? I don't see how.

Exactly! Just a trip to the grocery store involves lifting him into the car and "throwing" him into the car seat (we have a Honda Pilot so it's too tall for him to climb in) and then reaching out to get him since he's in the middle seat. More lifting is involved with getting him into and out of the cart.

We're starting to get him used to sitting on the potty (about a year earlier than I was planning, but he tells me every time he wets his diaper, will take off a poopy diaper immediately, etc so we're guessing he's telling us he's ready!!) so that means lifiting him onto the toilet. Don't forget getting into and out of the high chair, etc.

I don't have much help--my mom lives in town, but she lives about 35 miles away and still works FT. I am a SAHM, so I'm pretty much on my own. Oh well--I'll just try to be more conscious of not lifting him as much if there's another option. (Like carrying him instead of walking)

[oweirdo]

I was still picking up each child while preggy with the next. Katlyn was 4 and tall for her age. As long as you are doing it correctly it seems ok, just not to much side to side movement while picking them up.

[cristie_gce]

I am 13 wks pregnant with a 14 month old ( a CHUNKY one at that!). I have been thinking about how hard it's going to be as I get further along. Not only does my son WANT to be held alot, but I still WANT to hold him. I still see him as a baby. I know that I am not going to be able to give him ALL of my attention when the baby is born, so I feel bad about already having to change the little things like holding him. I think this is going to be rough on me and him. Right now I still feel fine about holding him, but I guess I'll have to cross that bridge when I get there. I am open for ideas, too!

[cristie_gce]

I am 13 wks pregnant with a 14 month old ( a CHUNKY one at that!). I have been thinking about how hard it's going to be as I get further along. Not only does my son WANT to be held alot, but I still WANT to hold him. I still see him as a baby. I know that I am not going to be able to give him ALL of my attention when the baby is born, so I feel bad about already having to change the little things like holding him. I think this is going to be rough on me and him. Right now I still feel fine about holding him, but I guess I'll have to cross that bridge when I get there. I am open for ideas, too!

[pattiewrites]

I always lifted my toddlers. Moving was another story. We moved 1200 miles about four weeks before my due date with our third baby. I had to pack a house we'd lived in for 10 years in two weeks. I packed and labeled the boxes and dh did all the lifting. It was incredibly exhausting. Good luck and thanks for the new blog idea!