Every farming family knows that the farm is hands-down the best place to raise children. The list of benefits is endless – from learning compassion, empathy and responsibility at a tender age to the health benefits of an active lifestyle and a stronger immune system.
There’s even a Swedish study from 2014 that says children whose mothers worked on farms while they were pregnant have a reduced risk of suffering from allergies! From recent experience, I can say that working full-time on the farm during my last pregnancy was a large factor in my recovery time – I gained less weight (and it seems to be coming off faster), had a shorter labor with fewer complications and a faster recovery than in my previous pregnancies. I can’t say that farming while pregnant is a walk in the park, however, as milking twice a day in a tiestall barn made me eternally thankful for tall cows with high udders!
As you grow your family, here are a few tips that I’ve found helpful over the past nine months:
1. Develop a close relationship with your doctor.
Farmers seem to get into some funny situations, and an obstetrician who understands the unique situation that farming mamas are in can be a lifesaver. More than once I placed a call to my OB, about something or other, and the nurse replied, “You did what?”
2. Talk to your veterinarian
There are several hormones and medications used in dairy production that aren’t safe for pregnant women to handle. Be sure to talk to your vet early in pregnancy so that he or she is aware of your limitations. They can give you a heads-up on which drugs are safe for you to use, and which drugs should be administered by another person. There are also some procedures that aren’t safe for pregnant women to assist with. For example, research in the UK advises pregnant women not to help with lambing for a number of reasons, including the risk of contracting listeriosis and toxoplasmosis.
3. Work smarter, not harder
A lot of things on our farm changed as my ability to push loaded wheelbarrows through 6 inches of snow lessened. It was amazing how many of our chores could utilize horsepower instead of manpower when someone else had to take care of them! Take a good look at your daily tasks and see if there is a way to make them easier – using a skid steer instead of a wheelbarrow, using a wagon for moving full pails instead of always carrying them and being innovative in other chores can lessen the strain on your body as pregnancy begins to take its toll.
4. Listen to your body
It’s no secret that farmers push their bodies to the limits on a daily basis. During pregnancy, it is especially important to take care of yourself and the life that you are growing! Take lots of breaks; drink plenty of water; and make sure to eat regular, healthy meals and snacks. Don’t be afraid to put your feet up, take a nap, take a snack to the barn, retreat to a cool place in the summer time or anything else that you need to do to keep yourself feeling as good as possible.
5. Be careful
Remember that your body isn’t just taking care of you – pregnancy creates a whole new life for your baby and a whole new world for you. Even the smallest fall or bump in the third trimester can cause major issues in a pregnancy. As ridiculous as it sounds, I spent 24 hours in the hospital after a bottle calf got a little too excited while I was feeding calves. A tiny head to the stomach led to 24 hours of continuous monitoring in the hospital.
Growing your family on the farm is exciting, and each tiny farmer represents an opportunity to share the life we all love. There’s no greater reward for a farming parent than watching our little ones grow and follow in our footsteps! Taking care of yourself and your baby during pregnancy is the first step to a happy, healthy future for you and your family! PD
Heather Moore is a dairy farming mama herself, raising three little boys with her husband, Brandon. The Moore family has a 50-cow dairy and custom feeds 800 head of beef cattle near Maquoketa, Iowa. When she is not chasing around cows and kids, you'll find her volunteering, cooking and very occasionally, sleeping.
PHOTO: For women who are dairy farming while pregnant, Heather Moore recommends having conversations with both of your doctors – as in the herd veterinarian and your obstetrician. Photo provided by Heather Moore.
