Support Items to Make Standing Work Easier for Pregnant Women

Standing work during pregnancy places a heavy burden on the body. Many pregnant women may feel that lower back pain, swelling of the feet, and standing for long periods are difficult. To alleviate such problems, dedicated support items are extremely effective. In this article, we introduce items that help pregnant women perform standing work comfortably and explain in detail how to use them effectively.

1.Effects on the Body Caused by Standing Work for Pregnant Women

During pregnancy, due to weight gain and the influence of hormones, the pelvis, lower back, and feet are more likely to be burdened. In standing work, it is often the case that you remain in the same posture for long periods, so the following problems are likely to occur.

Lower back pain: During pregnancy, the muscles around the lower back become weaker, increasing the burden on the lower back. A posture of continuously standing worsens lower back pain.

Swelling of the feet: Blood circulation deteriorates, leading to swelling of the feet. Especially when standing for long periods, blood tends to pool in the feet.

Tendency to tire easily: The body of a pregnant woman feels heavier than usual, and continuing standing work increases the feeling of fatigue.

To reduce these effects, it is important to make good use of support items.

2. Types and Effects of Support Items for Pregnant Women

There are several types of support items to make standing work easier for pregnant women. Let’s take a closer look at how each item reduces the burden on the body.

2.1 Maternity Back Support (Belt)

Lower back pain during pregnancy is one of the concerns that many pregnant women have. As pregnancy progresses and the abdomen grows larger, posture changes and the burden on the lower back increases. A back support is a very effective item to reduce this burden. A maternity back support firmly supports the lower back and can evenly distribute the weight of the abdomen. This reduces the burden on the muscles and ligaments of the lower back, making it easier to stand for long periods and to walk.

In addition, there are types of back supports that also support the abdomen, and from mid-pregnancy onward, especially as the abdomen becomes larger, you may feel the weight of the abdomen. This type of support lightly supports the abdomen and helps the large pregnant abdomen stabilize naturally. As a result, not only does it prevent lower back pain, but it also reduces abdominal fatigue and a sense of pressure, allowing for a more comfortable daily life.

A back support is an indispensable item during pregnancy, but care is also needed in how to choose one. By selecting one made of breathable materials, it will be less likely to become stuffy and remain comfortable even during long periods of use. Also, by choosing an adjustable type, it can accommodate changes in body shape and make putting on and taking off the support easier, improving usability.

By using a back support, in addition to alleviating lower back pain, it supports daily activities and allows for a more comfortable pregnancy, making it an essential item for pregnant women.

2.2 Compression Socks

During pregnancy, blood circulation tends to worsen, and swelling and fatigue in the legs are more likely to be felt. Especially in standing work or prolonged standing tasks, blood tends to accumulate in the lower body, and it is more common to feel swelling and heaviness. Here, compression socks are extremely effective.

Compression socks promote blood circulation by gradually applying pressure from the ankles to the knees. Wearing the socks prevents blood from pooling in the lower limbs and helps venous blood return to the heart. This can be expected to prevent or reduce swelling and relieve the heaviness in the legs.

In addition, by applying pressure to the feet, compression socks not only reduce fatigue and heaviness but also have the effect of supporting the muscles. Especially when you continue to use your muscles in a continuously standing state, the muscles become easily fatigued, but the support from the socks reduces that burden and eases muscle fatigue after standing work.

Compression socks are extremely effective items for preventing swelling and fatigue in pregnant women. When wearing them, it is important to choose ones with moderate pressure that are not too tight. If excessive pressure is applied, blood circulation may worsen instead, so caution is necessary.

2.3 Standing Mat

During pregnancy, especially when doing standing work, continuing to stand for long periods on a hard floor places a burden on the body. The impact and pressure on the feet are directly transmitted to the lower back and legs, causing fatigue and pain. Therefore, using a standing mat is effective.

A standing mat has cushioning properties and provides soft support underfoot. It absorbs the impact that occurs when standing on a hard floor and distributes the pressure on the feet and lower back. This reduces the burden on the body even during long periods of standing work and allows you to spend time comfortably.

In addition, depending on the material and design of the standing mat, there are some that have additional functions to further support the feet. Some types sink according to the shape of the foot, and others apply moderate pressure to the position where the foot is placed, making it easier to work more comfortably.

A standing mat is a very useful item for pregnant women. It is useful in occupations that require standing for long periods or in everyday situations where standing work is performed. Using it can reduce foot fatigue and lower back pain and ease the burden of standing work.

2.4 Supportive Boots and Shoes

When pregnant women do standing work, support for the feet is important. Wearing shoes with weak support places extra burden on the feet, knees, and lower back, and fatigue and pain occur during long periods of standing work. Therefore, supportive boots and shoes that firmly support the feet are important.

Supportive shoes are characterized by cushioned soles and arch support. This absorbs the impact applied to the feet and supports a stable standing posture without placing a burden on the soles and ankles. In addition, the design that firmly supports the entire foot helps maintain the balance of the whole body.

Furthermore, the feet of pregnant women tend to swell, and in particular, in the evening, the feet may swell and feel painful. Many supportive boots and shoes use materials with breathability and elasticity to reduce foot swelling, allowing you to spend time comfortably even during long periods of standing work.

When choosing supportive shoes, it is important to select a size that fits the feet snugly and to choose a design with high cushioning that firmly supports the feet. Also, by choosing materials with good breathability, you can prevent stuffiness and remain comfortable.

Supportive boots and shoes are indispensable items to support the feet of pregnant women, reduce the burden on the feet, and make standing work easier.

3. Tips for Comfortable Standing Work Using Support Items

It is important to use support items, but that alone cannot completely eliminate the burden of standing work. By keeping the following points in mind, you can perform your work even more comfortably.

3.1 Take Frequent Breaks

When doing standing work, you tend to maintain the same posture for long periods. Especially during pregnancy, the burden on the body is great, and continuing a posture of continuous standing places a burden on the lower back and legs, making fatigue and pain more likely to occur. To avoid such a state, it is very important to take frequent breaks.

By continuing standing work for long periods, the body gradually accumulates fatigue. When the body gets tired, the muscles stiffen and blood flow worsens, and blood is particularly likely to stagnate in the feet. This causes swelling, lower back pain, heaviness in the legs, and even a sense of overall fatigue. In addition, during pregnancy, due to the influence of hormones, body weight increases and the center of gravity changes, so even just standing makes it easier for extra burden to be placed on the lower back and knees. To reduce these burdens, it is important to take regular breaks.

Timing and Methods of Breaks

As a guideline for breaks, once every 30 minutes is ideal. By taking light breaks at this frequency, you can loosen bodily tension and promote blood circulation. For example, walking around a little or doing light stretches every 30 minutes can relax the muscles. Also, when doing standing work, sitting in a chair to rest your feet is also effective. If your feet get tired from standing for long periods, it is important to sit in a chair and elevate your legs so that blood is less likely to pool in the lower body.

Walking and light exercise are also effective for relieving muscle fatigue and improving blood circulation. By walking, it becomes easier for blood that has accumulated in the feet to flow to the upper body, preventing swelling and heaviness. Especially during pregnancy, improving blood circulation is important for both the mother and the fetus.

It is also recommended to do light stretches during breaks. By stretching the lower back, shoulders, and neck, the muscles loosen and bodily tension is relieved. Stretching, by extending muscles that are not usually used, further improves blood flow and has the effect of reducing fatigue.

Tips for How to Take Breaks

When sitting down during standing work, it is important to correct your posture as much as possible. Poor sitting posture may instead burden the lower back and back. When sitting on a chair, keep your back straight and place your feet firmly on the floor. Also, when resting with your legs elevated, using a cushion or footrest to relax the feet is also effective. This improves blood flow and helps prevent swelling.

During breaks, it is important to incorporate a good balance of sitting time and standing time. Sitting for long periods is also not good for the body, so during breaks, be conscious of standing up and moving your body a little.

Taking frequent breaks is essential to reduce the burden on the body and continue standing work comfortably. Incorporate breaks effortlessly as a daily habit.

3.2 Do Not Cross Your Legs

Crossing your legs while standing is a movement that tends to happen unconsciously, but it causes poor blood circulation and can lead to swelling and heaviness in the legs. This is because crossing your legs while standing causes uneven pressure on the feet and prevents blood from flowing smoothly. Especially during pregnancy, due to the influence of hormones, blood flow tends to worsen, and many people are concerned about swelling and heaviness. Crossing your legs can be a factor that worsens those symptoms.

By crossing your legs, pressure is applied to the feet, which prevents venous blood from returning to the heart. In particular, if you stand with your weight on one leg, blood tends to stagnate in that leg, causing swelling and pain. Furthermore, if you remain with your legs crossed, the muscles stiffen and blood circulation worsens, making you more likely to feel leg fatigue and heaviness.

Correct Standing Posture

To avoid crossing your legs, be conscious of placing both feet firmly on the floor when standing. By placing the entire soles on the floor, the burden on the body is dispersed and blood circulation proceeds smoothly. Especially for pregnant women, the weight of the abdomen burdens the lower back and back, so support at the feet is extremely important.

It is also effective to keep the knees slightly bent when standing. Bending the knees relaxes the muscles of the whole body and reduces the burden on the feet. This allows blood to circulate smoothly and prevents swelling and heaviness.

To improve the habit of crossing your legs, consciously correct your standing posture and always try to use both feet evenly.

3.3 Move Your Feet

When doing standing work, it is very important to move your feet even a little. Continuing to stand in the same posture for long periods causes the muscles to stiffen and worsens blood flow. As a result, swelling and heaviness in the legs, and even lower back and back pain, can occur. By moving your feet, you use your muscles and promote blood circulation, which can prevent these problems.

Simple Ways to Move Your Feet

While standing, even just shaking your feet slightly or raising and lowering your toes promotes blood circulation. Rotating your ankles and moving your toes also uses the muscles and improves blood flow. These movements are not particularly difficult and can be done easily while standing, so please try to incorporate them consciously.

In addition, while standing, alternately doing tiptoe stands and heel stands is also effective. Standing on your toes uses the calf muscles and makes it easier for blood to flow toward the heart. Conversely, standing on your heels uses the thigh and gluteal muscles and improves blood circulation over a wider area.

Benefits of Moving Your Feet

By moving your feet, you can prevent blood stagnation and reduce swelling and heaviness. In addition, because you can refresh fatigued feet from continuous standing, your daily standing work can be continued more comfortably. Especially during pregnancy, when swelling of the feet is a concern, making these simple movements a habit is very important as part of health management.

Continuing standing work for long periods often burdens the body, so it is very important to take frequent breaks, be conscious of not crossing your legs, and move your feet moderately. By making these methods habitual, you can reduce the burden of standing work for pregnant women and spend your time more comfortably.

4. Lifestyle Habits to Make Standing Work Easier During Pregnancy

In addition to utilizing support items, there are also habits to be careful about in daily life. By incorporating these habits, standing work during pregnancy becomes even easier.

4.1 Be Mindful of Correct Posture

When standing or walking, be mindful not to slouch. By straightening your back and relaxing your shoulders, you reduce the burden on the lower back and back.

4.2 Weight Management

By managing weight appropriately during pregnancy, you can reduce the burden on the lower back and feet. If weight increases too much, the burden on the body during standing work becomes greater.

4.3 Ensure Adequate Hydration

Proper fluid intake is effective in preventing swelling of the feet and lower back pain. Take in water little by little throughout the day.

5. Summary

Standing work during pregnancy places many burdens on the body, but by utilizing support items, those burdens can be greatly reduced. By skillfully using back supports, compression socks, standing mats, and more, and by additionally being mindful of frequent breaks and correct posture, comfortable standing work becomes possible. To carry out work without strain even during pregnancy, incorporate these items and lifestyle habits and lead a healthy and comfortable pregnancy.