Mowing the lawn while pregnant is a physical activity considered a form of exercise that is super reasonable and is, therefore, safe to do so with precaution from increased allergen exposure and considerations to your general health like how far along you are in the pregnancy, staying hydrated while in the sun as well as your rest time in a low-risk pregnancy.
Pregnancy brings along a lot of excitement as well as the fear of the unknown. This fear brews anxiety, and you start to question your previous activities and habits.
You begin to wonder if it’s okay to continue doing all the things you used to do before the pregnancy, and one of those activities you might be curious about is mowing the lawn while pregnant.
This article is a detailed description of the risk to be aware of when riding a lawnmower while pregnant and tips to make mowing the lawn while pregnant easier.
Should you mow the lawn while pregnant?
Yes. Mowing the lawn while pregnant is safe if done carefully and can benefit you and your pregnancy, but all this depends on the situation of individual pregnancies.
You must be in tune with your body and listen to all the signals it gives you to make this decision.
If you have a high-risk pregnancy medical issue, it is important to always consult with your physician on questions and activities involving the pregnancy.
Why mowing the lawn can be beneficial during pregnancy
Doing small amounts of physical activities isn’t harmful to women experiencing a healthy pregnancy and is even beneficial to them in multiple ways. Mowing the lawn is a great way to engage in physical activity.
Even though riding a lawnmower sometimes requires minimal effort, such as cleaning it out often, it is still considered a form of healthy exercise.
The fresh air that comes along with mowing the lawn and the exercise attached to it is beneficial to pregnant women as long as you listen to your body and don’t overdo it.
The benefits of doing exercise here and there while pregnant include preventing extra weight gain, making the delivery process easier, and releasing the endorphins or simply the “feel-good” hormones.
As long as you take breaks when needed and you stay dehydrated while mowing your lawn, you are perfectly safe.
When mowing the lawn while pregnant can be unsafe
Riding a lawnmower should be avoided if you have a high-risk pregnancy and your doctor has advised against it.
A high-risk pregnancy is determined as such by a doctor and can have a severe medical impact on the pregnant woman.
If your doctor has concluded that your pregnancy is a high-risk one, then it’s better to stay away from physical activities such as lawn mowing as much as possible since getting on and off constantly can put too much exertion on you.
Knowing your physical limits before engaging in any activity while pregnant will help you make the best decisions beforehand because the extra physical activity can make your pregnancy more difficult.
The safety of mowing the lawn also depends on how far along you are in your pregnancy. The risks do increase slightly as you go along, but it’s generally safe to ride the mower and mow the lawn at any pregnancy stage.
With the all-clear from your doctor and your body is sending you the right signal, then mowing the lawn can be done safely and benefit you in the process.
Risks of riding the lawnmower while pregnant
Even though riding the lawnmower is safe for the better part of your pregnancy, there are further dangers to be aware of while at it, and these dangers can apply to you or not, depending on your situation. These risks are worth noting so that you can make the best and healthier decision for yourself.
A few risks to be aware of when it comes to riding the lawnmower during pregnancy and knowing about them can ensure you don’t put yourself and your pregnancy at risk include
1. Induction of early labor
A riding lawn mower is convenient during pregnancy. It can make your work easier, but sitting on it for long periods can negatively affect your pregnancy and induce early labor due to the constant vibration it emits.
Sitting for long periods can also increase the amount of weight you gain and expose you to the risk of developing gestational diabetes, where your body’s blood sugar levels increase rapidly, increasing the risk of birth complications.
2. Exposure to allergens and diseases
Riding a lawnmower while pregnant can expose you to allergens in the air and to bugs and insects such as bees that spread pollen that can cause allergic reactions and ticks that live in tall grass that can spread Lyme disease severely affect you and the health of your pregnancy.
3. Overheating and dehydration
Overheating, which occurs when your body gets too hot and can’t cool down in time, can cause exhaustion and heat stroke that pregnant women are susceptible to, so riding the lawnmower on a hot day can be very risky.
Dehydration, on the other hand, occurs when the body doesn’t have enough water, leading to headaches and exhaustion.
Water is vital during pregnancy because it is used in forming the amniotic fluid, producing extra blood volume, carrying nutrients, and flushing out toxins and waste from the body.
4. You risk falling off
If your yard is bumpy, then you risk falling off and hurting yourself.
The constant up and down movement experienced while riding the lawnmower can induce dizziness in pregnant women, which can cause them to fall off. In addition, they will likely experience early onset labor or placenta abruption, both of which can cause complications with the rest of the pregnancy and at birth.
FAQ’s
Can bumpy rides cause miscarriage?
The shocking force from even slow automobiles accidents can cause a miscarriage, placental eruption, and other serious pregnancy complications for pregnant women even when the trauma is not directly to the uterus.
Can I ride ferris wheels while pregnant?
You should avoid carnival rides that go fast or could result in physical harm while pregnant because they could be dangerous. The Ferris wheels and other gentle rides at the water parks could be a cautious option to seek thrills with a baby on board.
Conclusion
Even though it’s generally safe to ride a lawnmower while pregnant, you should still know your limits and listen to your body’s natural signals.
Taking your time to follow simple safety tips will help to keep you and your baby safe as you mow your lawn and if followed correctly, then mowing the lawn is an incredible way to safely exercise while pregnant.
