Prolonged Standing During Pregnancy – Impact on the Mother and Foetus

Creator: Anisha Nair
Published: 2018-08-20 11:45:55

By Anisha Nair | Updated: 30/08/2025

Medically Reviewed By

Dr. Deepinder Kaur (Gynaecologist)

If you’re wondering, ”how long should a pregnant woman stand on her feet?” it’s good to remember that everyone is different. Your own health, how your pregnancy is going, and what your doctor says all play a part in deciding this. Standing too much can make your legs and back hurt and can also make your feet and ankles swell up. Try to take regular breaks to sit down and put your feet up if you can. This helps with blood flow and can reduce discomfort. Overall, it’s important to listen to what your body is telling you and to follow your doctor’s advice about what’s best for you and your baby during your pregnancy.

Is Standing for Long Periods During Pregnancy Safe?

If you’re wondering whether it is safe to stand for long periods during pregnancy, the answer is yes; you may stand until or unless you have been advised otherwise by your doctor. Your doctor may restrain your movement or advise you against standing for long durations in case you have a high-risk pregnancy. In a study, it was established that women who stand for long hours during pregnancy are not only at a higher risk of having preterm delivery but it may also hamper with the baby’s growth and development. So if you are wondering how long should a pregnant woman stand on her feet, it majorly depends on her health and whether or not she is undergoing a high-risk pregnancy.

How Long Can You Stand While Pregnant?

When you’re pregnant, how long you can stand without it becoming a problem can vary a lot from one person to another. Generally, it’s best not to stand for too long, especially as your pregnancy progresses. Doctors often suggest taking regular breaks to sit down and put your feet up to help improve circulation and reduce discomfort. If your job or daily routine requires you to be on your feet a lot, try to find opportunities to rest and take it easy.

If you’re unsure about what’s safe for you, it’s always a good idea to talk to your healthcare provider. They can give you personalized advice based on your health and how your pregnancy is going. So, while there’s no strict rule for everyone, listening to your body and getting advice from your doctor are key. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that pregnant women should not stand for more than three hours at a time (1).

How Does Standing for Long Hours During Pregnancy Affect You and the Unborn Baby?

It is important for a pregnant woman to understand that she is pregnant and not sick. The various precautions that she needs to exercise are only because pregnancy tends to make her body more fragile. Therefore, you have to be careful but not scared, and the same applies to standing for long hours. In case you stand for long hours, it may affect your baby in the following ways:

1. It May Lead to a Change in Blood Pressure

Prolonged standing may lead to high blood pressure in pregnancy or even low blood pressure. Both these conditions may lead to fatal complications during pregnancy and should be strictly avoided.

2. It May Affect Foetal Growth and Development

Standing for long periods may have an adverse effect on foetal growth and development. It is observed that women who stand for 25 hours or more in a week, had babies with smaller heads and lesser birth weight in comparison to women who did not do so (2).

3. It Causes Lower Back Pain

If you are spending too much time standing in a day then you may not only feel extreme discomfort but also experience lower back pain. Apart from lower back pain, you may experience leg pain too (3).

4. It May Lead to Pain in the Pubic Area

A pregnant woman may suffer from SPD or Symphysis Pubis Dysfunction, a medical condition that may cause extreme pelvic pain. Standing for longer periods may aggravate this condition (4).

5. It May Aggravate Oedema

It is very normal for a pregnant woman to feel swelling or pressure while standing during pregnancy; this condition is known as oedema (5). This condition or swelling in the feet may become more pronounced in case you keep standing for long periods of time.

6. It May Lead to Premature Labour and Birth

It is seen that if a pregnant woman spends most of her time standing, then it may increase her chances of going into preterm labour or delivery (6). Both these conditions may sometimes lead to fatal medical complications.

7. It May Lead to Low Blood Pressure

According to Harvard Health Publishing, where for some women, standing for longer durations may lead to high blood pressure, the others may experience low blood pressure (7). Well, both of these conditions are not good during pregnancy and may lead to various complications. If you suffer from low blood pressure, it may make you feel light-headed and may even cause fainting, which can be dangerous.

There are many women who may have to stand because their job demands it, such as being a teacher, cashier in the bank, child care-taker etc. If you have to stand for longer durations, then it is recommended that you adopt various measures to minimise your risks.

What Measures Can Be Taken to Minimise the Risks

Here are some ways that you may reduce your risks by standing for longer durations:

If you are in a job that required prolonged standing, talk to your employer and request a desk job instead.
Keep moving instead of standing, to keep the blood moving in your veins and prevent the blood from clotting.
Drink water and other healthy fluids to stay hydrated. However, stay away from caffeinated beverages as they can further dehydrate you.
Wear shoes that provide good arch and heel support for a better and comfortable standing position.
It is recommended that you sit for 15 to 20 minutes after standing for an hour. Refrain from sitting cross-legged.

Manage your stress levels effectively; doing some yoga and meditation may help.
Wearing compression stockings is a great idea as it promotes better blood circulation, and gives better support to the legs.
Taking an occasional walk in between the standing periods really helps.
Pay attention to your body’s signals and take breaks or adjust your activities as needed to ensure you and your baby’s health and comfort.
Consider using a footrest to alternate resting one foot at a time while standing, which can help reduce lower back strain and improve posture.

FAQs

1. What are some alternatives to prolonged standing?

If your job or daily routine involves a lot of standing, consider alternatives such as sitting whenever possible, using a stool or chair to take breaks, or even requesting accommodations from your employer, such as a modified work schedule or tasks that allow for more frequent breaks.

2. How can I tell if I’m standing for too long?

Listen to your body for signs of discomfort or fatigue, such as back pain, leg cramps, or swelling in your feet and ankles. If you experience any of these symptoms, it’s a good indication that you’ve been standing for too long and should take a break to rest and elevate your legs.

3. Are there specific exercises I can do to alleviate discomfort from prolonged standing?

Yes, there are exercises you can do to help alleviate discomfort from prolonged standing during pregnancy. Simple stretches like calf stretches, ankle circles, and gentle back stretches can help relieve tension and improve circulation. Additionally, regular walking or swimming can help reduce swelling and keep your muscles active and healthy. Always consult with your healthcare provider before starting any new exercise routine during pregnancy.

We’ve hoped we’ve answered your question – does standing for long time affect early pregnancy? There is nothing to worry in regard to standing for long periods during pregnancy, but it is always better to exercise caution. Get in touch with your obstetrician and know how you can effectively manage to stand for longer durations if you have to.

Also Read:

Running during Pregnancy
Bending Over when Pregnant
How to Sit and Stand Up in Pregnancy?
Is It Safe To Workout on Treadmill while Pregnant?

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