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How Much Weight Can I Safely Lift During Pregnancy (at Work, at the Gym, at Home)?

Some pregnant women have jobs that require lifting things. Some of you may have older children that still require being held. Some of you may love lifting heavy weights at the gym. But, how much is too much? How much is safe?

The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health created a model that can help determine the most weight that would be acceptable for the vast majority of pregnant women (90%) while at work; however, it can serve as a helpful guide for women who work from the home or do things at the gym as well. Keep in mind, there are some women who can do a little more and some who should do less. But we hope this will serve as a guide to help you make decisions about lifting things during your pregnancy!

To use the tool, start with the question in the first yellow box (“At work do you….”), then based on your answer, you will move through the figure. 

Physical Activity and Exercise During Pregnancy and the Postpartum Period: ACOG Committee Opinion, Number 804. Obstet Gynecol. 2020;135(4):e178-e188.

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