7 Common Pregnancy Mistakes That Increase Risk of Postnatal Complications

While many post-birth complications are simply unavoidable, it's really important to take care of your body as much as possible throughout your pregnancy to reduce the risk of complications and future issues as much as possible.
In this video, Physiotherapist Meghan Stephenson shares her best tips for pregnant women to modify the way you do many common daily activities to help minimise the risk of experiencing post-birth urinary incontinence, abdominal separation, prolapse, back pain, and ongoing pelvic pain.
These changes can help protect your abdominals and pelvic floor, along with your back and hips.
While this certainly doesn't guarantee that you won't experience any issues post-birth, it can help you reduce the likelihood and severity of these common conditions.
As always, I hope this helps!
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[@EmmaHubbard]

Thanks for watching! I remember trying to get into and out of bed when I was pregnant and it was hard work! Once I learn the log roll it made all the difference! Which thing are you going to tweak? Don't forget to check out our new channel Prenatal Exercise by Brightest Beginning (youtube.com/@PrenatalExercisebyBB?si=O9uIxka3X2dDQJ9y).

[@mercylineclever01]

Thanks

[@jossiahkamau5852]

😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊

[@126Lila]

Hey Emma, the exercise channel link does not work. Does it still exist?

[@EmmaHubbard]

@126Lila Thank you for letting me know! Yes it does - I’ve just updated the link 🙂

[@NehinaGedeon-zc4ef]

🎉🎉❤

[@theinsidermom]

Yes! 🌟Exercise and moving properly during pregnancy is crucial. Postpartum exercise that focuses on the core and pelvic floor while also addressing issues related to diastasis is also super necessary. Sounds like a great program.

[@BeyondBirthingPelvicFloorPT]

Thank you for bringing awareness about this topic Emma! Not a lot of people know how to properly protect their pelvic floor and core in pregnancy. The technique Meghan showed to get in and out of bed can also be used postpartum (especially after a C-section). Great video!

[@lidiiayakovleva7702]

Thank you! I am 32 weeks pregnant and it has become somewhat challenging to find comfortable positions

[@christinecallahan1876]

That stroller handle tip is awesome - just walked my daughter to daycare and it felt completely different

[@Ch.Motherhood]

This was so helpful being 14 weeks pregnant

[@betzyberumen6910]

Definitely going to the exercise channel thank you!!

[@nancymjimenez608]

Love this workout, thanks a lot! Ended super sweaty and feeling like I can go for another one at 37 weeks!

[@sammibudd5493]

33 weeks here and the roll to get out of bed usually works (have to work around my giant pregnancy pillow as well, it dows its job a little too well!), love the tips for picking up your toddler! Thank you!

[@EmmaHubbard]

It's my pleasure!

[@ruheenakhan7049]

Best of luck

[@daddialthy]

I just started having this horrible pelvic pain. This video is helping me to realize I’ve been doing a lot of things wrong! Thanks for the video!

[@EmmaHubbard]

Glad it helped!

[@samanthafredricks4109]

This video is so great! Thank you for sharing it!

[@MacyRayMarie]

Glad I found this video :) I’m 8 weeks and have been taking movements slower so as to reduce discomfort in every day life. I’ll be more cautious and use these tips from here on out. Thanks ladies!!!

[@Mrs.Laetitia]

I have been thinking of this all week. Thank you for making this video. I'll go back to this frequently ❤❤

[@EmmaHubbard]

No worries at all!

[@nikitanyakio9102]

I’m 22 weeks thanks for this ❤

[@hellyeah_ellajane]

I’d love if this became a series to address specifically mentioned issues from the comments. My biggest one is static standing while cooking/doing dishes/waiting in line, etc. I’ve been standing with one leg elevated on a stool (or the cart if we’re at a store) but as my belly gets bigger, I experience so much discomfort and dizziness while standing for long-ish durations of time.

[@EmmaHubbard]

Thanks for the suggestion!

[@mermaidsdragonsnl2592]

This just got recommended, perfect timing, 22 weeks pregnant. Thank you!

[@EmmaHubbard]

No worries at all. Hope it is helpful!

[@EMChantalG]

I love this!

[@moniquecrawford6946]

I learned the leg roll from my chiropractor. It definitely made a difference, would have been nice to know how to hold my toddler when i was pregnant though, he was 14kg in my 3rd trimester and still in a cot. Wasnt fun trying to pick him up haha.

[@EmmaHubbard]

That would have been very challenging! Our 3 year old boy was 18 kg when my 3rd child was born and it was tough carrying him. I would only be able to carry him for a few minutes and then he would be happy to hold my hand and walk. It's tough though!

[@Samantha-je3iw]

Thank you! I just need this being 22 weeks pregnant

[@EmmaHubbard]

You’re welcome 😊

[@totustuustotalmentetuyo]

Timely video! God bless y’all! ❤🎉❤

[@EmmaHubbard]

Our pleasure!

[@anna01302]

Thank you Emma for these important information😊. Can I ask about sleeping positions during pregnancy? I only know I cant sleep on the back. Thank you ❤

[@teacher9882]

On your sides especially the left

[@joycelee5714]

Super helpful video, thank you for this! I'm 26 weeks pregnant and needed the tips on how to pick up my toddler, which is getting harder and harder these days!

[@EmmaHubbard]

So glad you found it helpful!

[@BM88888]

This is useful for every pregnant ❤

[@EmmaHubbard]

Thank you!

[@joycem6250]

Great content ❤

[@EmmaHubbard]

Glad you like it ❤️

[@joycem6250]

@@EmmaHubbard yes, it's very helpful

[@lollsazz]

18 weeks with my 2nd - this came out just in time 😊

[@EmmaHubbard]

So glad this came out at the right time for you! Hopefully this pregnancy is going smoothly.

[@alicia222.]

Thank you. It’s the first day of my third trimester today.

[@EmmaHubbard]

Congratulations! I hope you're feeling great!

[@rachelD3005]

I had been having some back pain as I got bigger in these last 2-3 weeks. The other day I coughed and I felt a sharp pain and then two days later I had to call an ambulance because I couldn’t move or get out of bed due to severe spasms that were so sharp. This was Extremely painful and made it hard to get a good breath, turns out I guess I sprained something in my back in the left side. Never had this issue before in my previous pregnancies. This pregnancy has been such a rollercoaster for me, now I need to bed rest 😢 also go prescribed some pain meds. I don’t like taking them but the pain is bad

[@learningenglishwithanubha2697]

I am 6 month pregnant I don't know how to sit on bed and sleep in pregananct time I always take left position to sleep Well Thank you Emma mam your videos really me in motherhood journey.

[@courtneyivett-crabtree4237]

Fantastic ❤

[@EmmaHubbard]

Thanks 🤗

[@vivianawilson5493]

Nice video

[@sukanyababu7201]

Congrats on new channel! Please make exercise video for avoiding carpal tunnel for new moms. Also postpartum stretches for new mom

[@Hunterbunter69]

What new channel?

[@cheesey42dude9]

​@@Hunterbunter69they announced it at the end of the video :)

[@staffaroni09]

Any tips for going from laying or sitting on the floor to standing and then the opposite? I live in a 'floor culture' country so we don't have any chairs or raised furniture in our house, so I'm getting off the floor constantly. For now a modified asian squat has been my go-to (I'm 20 weeks) but after watching this that seems like the worst possible position

[@P_Petkov]

Get something to push off using your upper body such as a stool or box. You can sit near something you can pull your self up with. Maybe just get a chair to use for third trimester.

[@PrenatalExercisebyBB]

Hello, your situation is a bit different as your body is well adapted to the Asian Squat. This means you have great mobility in your hips/pelvis and stability in your lower back. In the Western culture we sit too much in chairs where our back and core muscles don’t have to do any work. The best option for you would be to use a yoga block to support your pelvic floor in your Asian squat and make sure you exhale when you stand up. When transferring from laying down make your way onto all four’s and push back with your hands into your half squat position and stand up.

[@womble901]

I get concerned reading and hearing about straight spines. My posture is already shot because I have scoliosis. But I want to try my best.

[@deepadevaraj1357]

Very nice presentation mam thank for ur suggestion

[@EmmaHubbard]

Most welcome 😊

[@MGS.037]

Then what shall we do? We have to do something, we can not float in the air! 😮

[@llopez7485]

😂😂😂

[@nio73949]

I got diagnosed with complete placenta previa at 20 weeks, is there anything you recommend/dont recommend besides no sexual activity? Ob hasn’t really said much. Thank you

[@realityslipped5385]

What do I do if I suspect my abdominal muscles have already separated?

[@rachelle2227]

I’m 9 weeks pregnant with baby #2, and for a few weeks, I already notice I can get slightly blacked out vision for a second a bit after getting up. I definitely have been getting up more slowly, but it often still happens. So tired and can’t wait to get out of the first trimester!

[@EmmaHubbard]

Hopefully it flies for you. If you are concerned about your black outs make sure you check in with your doctor. ❤️

[@hellyeah_ellajane]

That happens to me a lot too and is definitely exacerbated by pregnancy. Supplementing electrolytes seems to help, as well as flexing my stomach when I stand up to help maintain adequate blood flow to my head.

[@yosratag918]

Check out hemoglobin hope you are getting better and ask your doctor too

[@GalaletsangSeema]

We’re on the same boat girl..1st pregnancy was definitely nothing compared to this 2nd one😢

[@MsSwann]

This happened to me with my first pregnancy plus dizziness and nausea. I later found out it was twins 😅

[@paulriebe648]

Boy I didn't know how hard it is to get pregnant. But it is a beautiful way to be alive.❤❤❤

[@mo_waggins9629]

How would you switch sides while laying down.

[@freedomfayeverzola2069]

We have a bed that is on the floor. What is the best way to get up and lay down?

[@AnnClaire]

edge of the chair is great if you know how to keep your ribs and pelvis from tilting excessively

[@melissapratt3545]

I wish I knew this sooner

[@EmmaHubbard]

Hopefully it is still a bit helpful or even helpful in the future!

[@meenapatel5240]

super.! As mom we take care of everything..but where is role of dad? i went through a c- sec and everyone in home (joint family) is lyk u can work normal and has forgotten the pain I underwent

[@NonStopParis]

I get my groceries delivered these days haha

[@elenap-ot4gh]

i think i big part that was missed in this video is when you should start doing this

[@emilysgaming8214]

I wish I would have known this last yr when I was pregnant.

[@EmmaHubbard]

Hopefully if you decide to have another bub it will come in handy. The tip about the pram and picking your little bub up though is still important to try and adopt now.

[@cynthiagatona7989]

im here to learned.im 6 months pregnant now❤

[@EmmaHubbard]

Congratulations!

[@TheBakingGirlShow]

Whats the name of the workout channel?

[@EmmaHubbard]

It's Prenatal Exercise by Brightest Beginning. I hope you find it helpful!

[@superdupy]

Hey I like your video. I have a question. I have a bedsidecrib next to me. How do I get in bed the best way? We can’t move the bed

[@Fatimainreallife]

Does sitting for long time can cause edema Or signs of hydrops in baby?

[@jones2277]

How do you do those lifts with bad knees? I feel like knife is stabbing my joints.

[@annonimous-zo3sn]

Am 49yrs and I feel like am pregnant cz my last period was on January

[@srm6624]

My 18th week pregnancy goin on so when should I start doin workout for normal delivery. It’s my 1st baby.

[@kaylaassatta923]

I don't even lay down anymore. It's so painful to get back up and it's suffocating.

[@user-ye4zu7lt7k]

Lord God I hope my bb is girl❤❤❤

[@joynecehernandez287]

What is the maximum weight a woman in her third trimester can carry?

[@jeevikawankhade6314]

Lifting both legs up during getting in and out of bed is even more difficult for me. It causes pain in my lower back. So instead I try to gently sit with moving one leg at a time real slowly. So I guess this doesnt work for everyone.

[@marvelenemhlepukoi3467]

At how many weeks in pregnancy do one start to monitor how to get out of bed 🛌?

[@dragamboazulinqiacupuntura122]

Never too early to take care of your back dear

[@juliagao]

Perfect timing! I’m almost in my third trimester and also has a young toddler. Thank you as always!! I also just want to point out how calm your baby is!! 😂❤ mine doesn’t stop moving around lol

[@EmmaHubbard]

😂 She has just learnt to crawl, so she is into everything and not so calm anymore 🤣 She has also become a lot more vocal!

[@jennifertimberlake6522]

How can I lift if I have weak knees? I can't even get myself up with nothing in my hands without having to use my hands to get up

[@A-electricAura]

I wonder why others were doing before the internet time I think they just figured out what works for them

[@EmmaHubbard]

I think that and also just asked those around them - like family and friends.

[@notclaire612]

I’m 26 weeks with #2 and it feels like I’m slowly remembering a lot of these things. It really is crazy how much we forget! It just feels so good to lay back reclined in bed at the end of the day. A birth ball isn’t as fun 😂

[@EmmaHubbard]

😂

[@erikaplante-jean7745]

Ok but she has a small bump and a small baby. I still don't know how to hold my 3yo on top of my 8months belly XD

[@EmmaHubbard]

I had that problem too! I found that I ended up using my bump as a bit of a cushion for my 3 year old boy (18kg at the time) to sit on. But generally I just tried to limit the amount I carried him and did lots of cuddles on the couch if he needed me.

[@victoriaoconnor3688]

I have a two year old on top of my 38w twin belly lol I stretch one of her legs at the very top of my belly (right at the top ribs) or I hold both her legs to one side if the belly so her legs are together while I'm holding her. Hope that helps!

[@irina_cay_fit]

Keeping right posture, of course is important, but it can be a challenge for a lot of people, even if you are not pregnant. Focusing a lot of effort on keeping right posture during pregnancy can give much stress and worry that you are doing something wrong. To learn to keep right posture during pregnancy is even more difficult because of hormones. To my mind it just important to change position, avoiding freezing in one, and listen to your body first, it will give good advise and feedback.

[@mariab0nita]

Im worried my job is honna hurt my baby, i have to stand for 8 hours, and I'm always dragging racks full of clothes, so i dont know how to protect my back and pelvic floor

[@alabalababyblue]

I had to lift heavy items like up to 15 kgs for 30 weeks of my pregnancy and standing also for 8h on my feet. Wasn't easy but I managed to make it trough

[@helenculling9130]

Your employer should definitely make adjustments and your working load easier if you feel it's too much x

[@ashleyirenegrace9078]

Try a belly band

[@carolinafernandez1248]

And how I can sit in the sofa when I wanna watch a movie ..??

[@fatimagonzalez7657]

thought you arent supposed to lay on your back to sleep and to avoid as much as possible???

[@Lindamorena]

I have the same question

[@shellybelle6781]

Not flat

[@2okaycola]

Left side

[@2okaycola]

@@bnj1405nope. Laying on your back reduces blood supply to the baby. Lay on your left side

[@2okaycola]

@@Lindamorenaleft side is safest

[@annelouw2271]

I shouldn't lay on my back ok

[@hannahgrim6804]

Ooooh.... ive been lifting stuff at work (im a milkmaid on a sairy farm) split leg to the side.... oop

[@hannahgrim6804]

Dairy

[@DineoMotaung-ed6yl]

My baby she Kiki ones lm 5 mothers pregnant

[@afrosaltboho5357]

And baby at the back? As for other cultural habits?

[@Shreeman2022]

I am 7 month pregnant with 17 month toddler and he is nonstopable what can be done these days he refuses every single food I did check up all is normal doctor says to baby … what can be done

[@joylenesvlog6271]

That's why I feel worse when I sit in that posture

[@heatherw.4561]

The standing thing won't work for me because I have cerebral palsy and my gait is off. In addition, my knees are nowhere near good enough to support my weight while picking up my toddler. Ahh life.

[@stargirl6992]

Why you saying to lay on your back in bed tho? No that's not SAFE

[@nofilterbtxh5000]

I hate being a woman:don’t sit like this,don’t stand like that,don’t eat this ,sleep one way but not too much,posture this, stretching that,lift weights but not like that…jesus we really can’t win anything can we huh?