The third trimester of pregnancy or late pregnancy can be a stressful moment for pregnant women. At this time, pregnant women also need to be more careful in their activities. Come on, know what activities need to be avoided during late pregnancy so that the health condition of pregnant women and fetuses is maintained.
Late pregnancy is the last period of pregnancy starting from the 28th week from the date of HPHT until the day of delivery. During this period, the belly of pregnant women will get bigger as the fetus develops towards the day of its birth.
When you are pregnant, pregnant women often feel uncomfortable. The following are some of the complaints that are often experienced during late pregnancy:
- Tired easily
- Back pain
- Chest feels sore or uncomfortable
- Fake contractions
- Frequent urination
- Hard to breathe
These various complaints during late pregnancy can be overcome in several ways, such as increasing rest time, eating nutritious foods, and doing light exercise.
In addition, pregnant women should also not forget to continue to take care of themselves so that the fetus remains healthy and the delivery process can run smoothly. One way is to avoid some activities while pregnant.
What are the activities to avoid when pregnant?
To maintain the health condition of the body and fetus, pregnant women who have entered the late pregnancy period are advised to avoid the following activities:
1. Undergo strenuous physical activity
When pregnant, pregnant women will easily feel tired even if they only do light activities, such as sweeping and making the bed. Therefore, in order not to get tired, pregnant women need to limit their physical activity.
Some examples of activities that pregnant women should avoid during late pregnancy are:
- Standing too long
- Lifting or moving heavy objects
- Doing activities up and down stairs too often
- Cleaning the house using harmful chemicals
If you are already pregnant and start to feel tired often, pregnant women should ask for help from their partner or closest person to help with heavy household chores. If pregnant women are office workers, consider taking maternity leave before the day of delivery.
2. Doing extreme sports
During pregnancy, whether at a young gestational age or before delivery, pregnant women are recommended to avoid strenuous exercise. The reason is, strenuous exercise can increase the risk of injury, vaginal bleeding, to premature labor.
Exercise during pregnancy is important, but choose the type of light exercise that is comfortable and safe. To stay healthy, pregnant women can take a leisurely walk at home or try yoga for pregnant women. Instead, avoid sports that are too strenuous such as lifting weights or jogging.
Regular exercise during pregnancy can make pregnant women feel more fit, so they are better prepared for childbirth. If you are confused about choosing a safe exercise, pregnant women can consult a gynecologist.
3. Travel long distance
When pregnant, pregnant women should not travel far. This is because long trips can make pregnant women tired. If you are too tired, pregnant women can be at risk of experiencing unwanted things, such as giving birth prematurely.
This risk will be higher if pregnant women already have certain medical conditions before, such as high blood pressure and diabetes. Pregnant women are also not advised to travel far if they have a history of previous miscarriages.
However, doctors may allow pregnant women to travel long distances until the fetus is 34 weeks old if the pregnant woman and fetus are in good health.
4. Often sleeps on your back
In general, pregnant women are advised not to sleep on their back during late pregnancy because this sleeping position can reduce blood flow to the uterus and fetus. The recommended position during the third trimester is to sleep on your side.
Sleeping on the left side is recommended for pregnant women because it can improve blood circulation. If you feel uncomfortable and have difficulty sleeping, pregnant women can use a pillow to support their back while sleeping.
5. Smoking
Smoking during pregnancy or too often exposed to secondhand smoke, can harm the condition of pregnant women and fetuses. Smoking can increase the risk of pregnant women experiencing pregnancy complications, such as preeclampsia to miscarriage.
Meanwhile, exposure to cigarette smoke can increase the risk of the fetus being born prematurely, born with low birth weight, to birth defects.
If pregnant women have a habit of smoking since before pregnancy, stop smoking as early as possible and stay away from exposure to secondhand smoke. In addition, pregnant women are also advised not to consume alcoholic beverages while pregnant.
6. Cleaning the pet cage
Cleaning pet cages can increase the risk of pregnant women developing toxoplasmosis. Diseases caused by parasitic infections can be transmitted to the fetus, causing the fetus to be born prematurely or have birth defects.
If pregnant women keep animals at home, you should ask a partner or other person to help clean the cage and pet waste.
7. Take a hot bath or shower
Soaking in hot water can indeed make the body feel comfortable. However, hot baths during pregnancy may not be done when pregnant women are pregnant.
Some research says that taking a hot bath for too long, including using a sauna, can make a pregnant woman's body temperature rise too high and even risk becoming dehydrated. Instead of using hot water, pregnant women can use cold or warm water for bathing.
In addition to avoiding some activities during late pregnancy, pregnant women must also maintain a healthy pregnancy by regularly consuming balanced nutritious foods, reducing stress, getting enough rest time, and taking pregnancy supplements according to doctor's recommendations.
Don't forget to check your gynecologist regularly, okay? The doctor will monitor the development of the fetus and suggest things that need to be avoided during late pregnancy according to the condition of the pregnant woman.