Tips for Moving While Pregnant
Moving during pregnancy adds a new layer of move preparation. Use these tips as you prepare for moving while pregnant.
Moving into a new home requires a lot of physical work – from packing and deep cleaning to the physical move itself. While this can be a lot for anyone, it’s significantly more exhausting when you’re moving while pregnant. But with preparation, outsourcing certain tasks and utilizing online tools, moving during pregnancy doesn’t have to be as daunting as it may seem.
To make your move seamless, here’s what to know when moving while expecting.
4 Things to Consider Ahead of Moving When Pregnant
If possible, plan to move during the second trimester.
According to the American College of Obstetricians & Gynecologists, the best time for someone to travel – whether across state lines or internationally – is during the second trimester (between 14-28 weeks). Whether you’re moving out of state while pregnant or moving just down the street, this is the time when women typically have overcome morning sickness, have more physical and mental energy and aren’t experiencing the discomfort that happens during the end of the third trimester.
Seek help getting and staying organized.
Pregnancy brain – forgetfulness and trouble with memory while pregnant – is real. According to a report in JAMA Neurology, 80% of pregnant women experience memory impairment. Between restlessness and trying to keep up with health appointments, baby classes, books and other what-to-expect education, it may seem impossible to keep up with the dozens of to-dos that arise when preparing for a move.
Make lists, or take advantage of online tools, resources, and apps that help you stay organized. For example, ClickUp lets you create to-do lists with attached deadlines, schedules and reminders – and even lets you assign tasks to others! Trello, Asana, Google Calendar, whatever system works for you, reply on these throughout your move timeline.
Purge the old to make room for the new.
Be sure to sort, sift through and get rid of any and all unneeded items before moving day. Use a carrier service to pick up and deliver donated goods to a local Goodwill or shelter. Alternatively, online marketplaces like Facebook Marketplace or Let Go allow you to make some extra money ahead of your new baby’s arrival!
When buying new baby furniture, clothing and other supplies, be sure to have them delivered to your new address, and include a note on your baby registry to have gifts shipped to your new home address to minimize what you will need to physically relocate on moving day.
Start researching hospitals and childcare.
Especially if you’re moving into a new city or state, if you’ll need to transfer your healthcare and start child care research before you move. For your pregnancy care, talk to your provider to see if they have recommendations on healthcare professionals for where you’re moving. If they don’t, consider joining local Facebook groups in your new city and start looking at some of the best places to continue maternal and infant care. Coordinate your transition of care and get on a new provider’s books before your move.
Then, if you think you have plenty of time to find a child care provider – you may already be too late! According to Child Care Aware of America, some states are seeing between 10,000-95,000 families on child care wait lists. As soon as you know you’re going to move, make phone calls to research providers, virtually tour facilities, and get on waiting lists. Especially for infants, some waitlists could be six months to over a year out for availability.
What to do During the Move
Pack a moving day kit.
It’s critical for anyone to have a moving day kit with the essentials like a change of clothes, toiletries and towels, toilet paper and other immediate needs. As a parent-to-be, be sure to include plenty of healthy snacks, water and something to sit on when you need rest. Any pregnancy related items, like the ever–important pregnancy pillow, should be marked so it’s easily found as you unload.
Enlist help.
From professional movers to home cleaning services, ask for help with every element of your move. Packing and moving while pregnant can be incredibly difficult. Moving companies will take care of every step of your move process– from packing your belongings, safely getting them to your new home and unpacking everything – so you can rest easy.
Avoid toxic chemicals.
Fresh paint and cleaning supplies all can have toxic chemicals and strong fragrances that are dangerous for both mom and baby. This is when hiring a cleaning service will come in handy. If you need to paint, be sure fresh coats are applied when the mother-to-be is nowhere in sight.
Avoid heavy lifting.
For some women, lifting heavy items while pregnant can increase the risk of premature labor and low birth weight, especially after the first trimester. If possible, try to avoid lifting boxes altogether. Pregnant women who are lifting and carrying items for more than an hour in a day should avoid anything heavier than 18 pounds if they are less than 20 weeks, and 13 pounds if they are more than 20 weeks, according to the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health. For any lifting that must be done, be sure to follow proper techniques to avoid injury, like bending at the knees and not the waist. Talk to your provider about any specific recommendations or precautions they may have for you based on your specific care plan.
Settling into your new home.
Once the toughest part is over – the physical move itself – there is still much to be done in your new home, but don’t let these keep you stressed or take up all of your time. Schedule time to relax, exercise and don’t forget about nutrition. Skip the traditional house-warming gift requests and consider asking for:
- Local meal delivery services, or a meal subscription service like Hello Fresh or Factor
- Gift certificates to a local prenatal fitness or birth center, where you can exercise and/or prepare for baby
- Professional organizers who can help bring structure to the moving chaos
Fortunately, there are tons of resources to alleviate the stressors of moving while pregnant. Hire where you can and call on the support of friends and family where you can’t.
Have questions about how to plan a move while expecting? Check out our moving services and contact us today.
