Vacuuming and mopping are crucial chores to keep your home clean. However, many things are different when you’re expecting a baby, which includes the safety of vacuuming and what’s not. This is why many mothers-to-be come to us with a crucial concern: is it safe to use a vacuum during pregnancy?
Can you safely vacuum during pregnancy? Is it safe to vacuum during pregnancy? Physical activity and fitness are recommended during pregnancy. However, hormones during pregnancy decrease your physical abilities. Avoiding over-exerting yourself, especially when vacuuming, is essential to avoid injury.
However, there’s more to the pregnancy experience and home cleaning generally. In this article, we’ll answer the question, “Is it safe to vacuum while pregnant in more detail, along with the most effective methods and tricks to vacuum safely while you’re expecting. In the end, your home requires regular cleaning, doesn’t it?
Can You Safely Vacuum During Pregnancy?
Generally speaking, vacuuming during pregnancy isn’t hazardous. But, the answer varies in each case and depends on how much physical effort you put into it.
First, your center of gravity shifts, and your balance shifts as you gain weight, which puts you vulnerable to falling.
The second reason is that pregnancy hormones relax your connective tissues, ligaments, and tendons, which makes you more susceptible to injuries.
The greatest chance of injury is sciatica while pregnant. While cleaning, experts recommend you reduce the weight you carry by 20-25 percent of the amount you can manage before pregnancy.
What Are the Signs That Are Associated With Early Pregnancy?
It could be your first clue that you’re pregnant. Perhaps it was a missed menstrual cycle and then an incontestable pregnancy test. You may have noticed that you’re feeling uncomfortable and bloated and peeing more often than normal.
Perhaps tender breasts, nausea, or mood shifts bothered you. Although not all people experience the same way, you’ll likely probably have noticed the signs.
Triplets are broken down into three trimesters. The first day of your pregnancy will begin on the day of your menstrual cycle. This means that full-term is at the end of 40 weeks, around ten months.
The first trimester is characterized by the possibility of morning sickness and fatigue, and you’ll also gain anywhere between 2 and 4 pounds.
The majority of the weight is due to the growing uterus, the uterus which feeds your child more blood, as well as larger breasts.
In the early stages of pregnancy, the heart rate and breathing are extremely fast. The bladder will be under great pressure due to the growing uterus, and you’ll frequently urinate.
You’ll also have emotional rollercoasters, and hormonal changes could cause nausea or vomiting. Despite the physical demands, it is recommended to exercise moderately, and you should go about your day as normally as possible.
Although physical activity may harm your pregnancy, the intensity must be in line with intense workouts or marathons.
Cleaning the house, for example, in the initial three months, doesn’t result in body temperatures rising or draining energy stores. Consult your doctor before birth when any of these signs are unmanageable or when you’re not able to complete household chores.
How to Vacuum a Safe Way During Pregnancy?
After you’ve learned that vacuuming is safe when pregnant, let us examine some of the most effective tricks and tips to get the task done. In the end, there’s no doubt that you’ll have lesser physical capabilities as your belly gets bigger. Here’s how to vacuum with safety during pregnancy:
1. Make Use of an Upright Vacuum Cleaner
While you may not notice it initially, your back will begin to feel pain as you progress through your pregnancy.
This is most noticeable following the fourth month of your pregnancy because the center of gravity of your body shifts. If you do not use the correct vacuuming techniques, you could risk aggravating back pain.
To minimize the risk of back discomfort, it’s recommended to use an upright vacuum cleaner that has an extended length.
In addition, upright vacuum cleaners are lighter and easy to use and maneuver, but they’re also large enough that you don’t have to bend your back. You should select the right upright vacuum cleaner to do the job.
2. Make Use of Faces Masks
Also, wearing a vacuumed mask will shield you from allergens and harmful particles. Although some particles aren’t always harmful to you, they may cause respiratory discomfort in large quantities.
Even if you have an air cleaner with HEPA filters, if you use a vacuum cleaner with a HEPA filter, there’s no harm in having a second filter.
There is a good chance of a large level of pollen, dust, and other particles while you clean an area, particularly when you don’t vacuum it as often as you’d like.
Therefore, the next time you clean your home when you’re pregnant, protect yourself by wearing the appropriate face mask. This small step can go quite a way.
3. Find Some Assistance
Vacuuming your home and keeping it tidy during pregnancy isn’t simple. We know that you have plenty to consider and plenty happening.
When pregnancy hormones begin to kick in, you could become overwhelmed. It is crucial to remember that pregnancy fatigue is normal, and it’s okay to rest and relax.
If you aren’t feeling like cleaning, think about soliciting assistance. Engage a professional cleaning service to assist you in cleaning and vacuuming your home for you in case you need a break.
Many services can complete a single cleaning of your house. When you’re done with the day, some assistance from others can greatly help.
4. Don’t Stand For Too Long.
It is essential to keep a steady pace when you vacuum during pregnancy. Intense bouts of exhaustion characterize the second and third trimesters.
While 30 minutes of low-to-moderate-intensity physical activity and exercise is recommended during pregnancy, do not push yourself too hard.
The best method to clean your home when you’re pregnant is to complete chores in 15-minute segments, ideal to do beginning in the morning and the other later.
This schedule is not only perfect for pregnancy. However, it can be ideal after your baby is born too. When you’re done with the day, discover your best method.
When Should You Stop Vacuuming While Pregnant?
We’ve covered the hazards of vacuum cleaners; let’s look at their safety during pregnancy. Of course, this is one of the essential elements of household maintenance and cleaning; therefore, you must be aware of when to not vacuum while pregnant.
Based on doctor Dr. Sarah McKay, most doctors suggest that pregnant mothers not use vacuum cleaners after two trimesters.
This is because pregnant women aren’t at risk of miscarriage or premature labor once they’re in the third trimester. When you’re at this point, you can continue tidying your home using the help of a vacuum cleaner, making sure everything is clean and neat.
It’s the same for mothers who are past the third trimester. However, they are still keen to keep their homes tidy. In this situation, it’s appropriate to utilize vacuums, and there are no chances of miscarriage or premature labor.
What Is the Maximum Amount of Vacuum Pressure Normal During Pregnancy?
Vacuum cleaners aren’t only known for their capacity to soak up dirt. They also create a strong stream of water to help clean your floors and carpets.
The powerful flow of water typically contains a significant amount of pressure, and pregnant women must be aware when using vacuum cleaners with this much force.
In addition to the fact that it is possible to easily fall off the handle and fall off, there is also the possibility that the pressure could cause miscarriage or premature birth.
The force of water that comes from vacuum cleaners is enough to cause serious injury to your cervix or cause early labor, particularly when used in conjunction with other activities such as cycling or gardening.
Consider this if you’re planning to clean carpets or hardwood floors.
The most commonly suggested vacuum pressure for expecting mothers is 20-40 PSI. Ensure you don’t exceed this limit, as you’re at risk of something bad occurring to your infant.
The best method to avoid any issues with cleaning machine pressure is to conduct a bit of research before purchasing one. If you can, look through the review of vacuums to know the levels of pressure of models on the market.
After you’ve completed your research, begin looking for a product that is lower in the range of PSI, about 20-30 PSI, and anything more than that would be dangerous in pregnancy.
If you can, try to buy a vacuum with adjustable pressure levels, so you can easily manage the water flow. So you won’t risk excessively when you purchase an efficient vacuum cleaner.
In Conclusion…
In addition to not using vacuum cleaners in the first trimester, what other steps can you take to be sure that everything is suitable for your baby?
Based on Dr. Sarah McKay and other sources, in this situation, it doesn’t matter whether you are pregnant or not. You can still purchase an excellent and powerful vacuum cleaner and begin cleaning every once in a while.
You’re free to decide whether or not you should vacuum your home every week; however, if you’re looking to be protected during pregnancy, make sure you vacuum your home once every two weeks maximum.
Always consult your doctor before you do anything that involves cleaning or vacuuming while pregnant.