At what stage of pregnancy should a client begin to modify or avoid supine stretches?

During the second trimester of pregnancy, it is recommended that clients begin to modify or avoid supine stretches. This is particularly important due to physiological changes that occur as the pregnancy progresses.

As pregnancy advances into the second trimester, the growing uterus can start to exert pressure on the major blood vessels, particularly the inferior vena cava, when the pregnant individual is lying flat on their back. This position can impede blood flow and potentially lead to issues such as dizziness or reduced oxygen supply for both the mother and the fetus.

Consequently, it's crucial for pregnant women to adopt alternative positions, such as lying on their sides, which can enhance blood circulation and comfort. Modifying exercises and stretching routines to avoid supine positions during the second trimester ensures that both the mother and the developing baby are safeguarded from potential complications associated with pressure on major blood vessels.

In the first trimester, these concerns are less pronounced, making supine stretches generally safe. In the third trimester, due to further growth of the uterus, the recommendation to avoid supine positions becomes even more emphasized, but the initial guideline to start modifying stretches occurs in the second trimester. After delivery, the focus shifts to recovery and rehabilitation rather than the constraints of pregnancy.