I'm pregnant. Is it at all dangerous to me or my baby if I stretch up to reach or pull down something? Several people have shown concern about me doing this. Is this concern based on an "old wives' tale" about getting the cord tangled around the baby's neck? Or, apart from perhaps straining some ligaments, is there some other reason that I should not do this?

-- Mandy

This is definitely one of those old wives' tales. Stretching or reaching above your head does nothing to the baby. The umbilical cord wrapping around the baby's neck or other areas is due to the baby's movements -- the baby "swims" into a loop of cord and may become entangled. Cords around the neck are pretty common at delivery and most of the time cause no harm.

Straining ligaments is certainly a possibility in pregnancy, as some of the hormone changes involved in pregnancy cause ligaments to be more lax. Also, loss of balance is an issue. Use common sense: Don't climb on a rickety chair or lean way off-center to grab something; don't reach for heavy objects high above your head unless you'd like to risk a nasty bump and a headache; pick up objects on the floor by bending your legs and using your leg strength, not your back, to lift them.

As always, if you have questions about the accuracy of unsolicited advice (and, boy, it is amazing how many people feel they have carte blanche to give it when they see a protruding belly!), ask your obstetrician or midwife -- or post it here!