pregnant gardener needs advice

Hello folks

I know this is a bit different from the usual questions but im looking for some advice. I am three months pregnant and im not sure what it is ok to do in the garden. I would really like to go and dig in some nice well rotted FYM to my newly emptied of summer bedding areas but everyone keeps telling me not to do anything. I feel fine now and Im dying to get out and do stuff before the weather gets too bad but dont want to do anything that might be dangerous to baba.

Thanks in advance for any advice you can give.

Cloudy

 

Hi Mrs Cloudy - Congratulations! what an exciting time!
I hope this helps - people tend to be overprotective when you are pregnant and it can be very frustrating :rolleyes: But do check in with your GP if you have any doubts, or any extra health worries. I moved house when I was 8 months pregnant amd proceeded to re-plaster my kitchen and dig over my front garden (including digging up some decripid, incredibly deep-rooted rose bushes), my advice would be, do as much as you feel is ok, take plenty of breaks, drink plenty of fluids, and keep your blood sugar up. Stop immediately if you feel any discomfort or dizziness. Only work in short batches, and be extra mindful when lifting and ALWAYS wear gloves.
I went on to give birth to a very healthy, very gorgeous 9 and 1/2 pound boy by the way

 

congratulations also, my daughters have given me 6 grandchildren and My real concern [when they were pregnant] was lifting. they both gardened right up to the time ..perfect children..just take a bit of care though. babysitting tonight. after footy.

 

Congrats also,My concern also would be lifting but digging as well.When pregnant your ligaments soften in readiness,this includes the ones in your back which mean being quite careful.Now is the time to introduce partner/friends to a free workout,also useful when you have had the baby since they are time eating machines.Anyhow enjoy this time and I hope you are coming out of the tired/sick period now.

 

Thanks all for your replies. Im going to keep doing what i can but try not to overdo it. I had a good day yesterday just pottering and tidying up. I know that i am going to have to do a bit less but i would feel really bad if i have to abandon my garden completely. Thanks again.

Cloudy

 

Congratulations Mrs Cloudy - in line with everyone else, just continue doing what you do and enjoy in the garden - avoiding the extremes like axing down a tree - well who does that anyway. Digging fine, planting fine, weeding fine, just take it steady rather than violent :D

Baby is forming in the first 12 weeks, and then growing. Pregnancy is a not an illness - get on with your life you will probably find your at your most healthiest during this time.

 

Are you going to give up the 'Fast motorbikes' until after the pregnancy ?

Nathan.

Im going to give up fast everything I think :D

Cloudy

 

My wife dug the garden and mowed the lawns in the early months of her pregnancy, and is convinced that is what caused her to have twins.

 

All good advice but you should also be careful if you have cats in the area that might soil your soil as toxoplasmosis may be present. See http://www.vetinfo.com/ctoxo.html

But wear some new, heavy duty waterproof gardening gloves (new and heavy duty so they're less like to have punctures) and you should be fine (as long as you don't go in for lifting any concrete slabs!)

 

Congratulations
Sorry I have only just heard the news,I havn't been on the site this week too busy making the most of the good weather gardening.It looks like you have already had lots of good advice.
I would invest in a good kneeling mat as most of my weeding was done on my knees when I was pregnant saves your back and the bump doesn't get in the way. Keep active and do those pelvic floor exercises.
Jacqui

 

Congratulations

I remember having the same concerns when I was expecting, I was just about to turn over my veg plot when I found out... my doctor told me not to do anything I wasn't used to doing but if I ran a marathon every week it would be okay to keep doing it. The first 3 months or so when you feel tired are natures way of making you slow down so if youre over that then nature deems it ok to do as much as you have the energy to do

Good luck and Happy Gardening