How much weight should you be lifting while you're pregnant?

Q: Thanks!

A: There is no "exact" limit to how much weight a woman can lift while pregnant. Obviously women who have other conditions that restrict weight lifting should follow their original non-pregnant instructions for lifting and ask their treating physicians if that should be modified while pregnant. In general, a complete "dead lift" of an object under 25-30 pounds is not harmful to an otherwise healthy pregnant woman. As the pregnancy continues a hormone is produced called Relaxin which may make lifting even that much weight an uncomfortable, but not dangerous, task. I always tell my patients whatever their physical activity was before pregnancy is generally safe during pregnancy (except activities that have a risk of falling or sudden jeering movements) and they should listen to their body....your body will tell you when enough is enough.

Answered by Dr. Marra Francis