When it comes to moving to a house, there’s a lot of physical exertion involved, from packing and thorough cleaning to the actual move. This may be a lot for anybody, but it's considerably taxing while expecting a child.
That being said, moving while pregnant doesn't have to be as difficult as it may appear if you plan ahead, outsource some activities, and make use of internet resources.
Check out our guide that you should follow if you’re planning to move while pregnant.
Is Moving Harmful During Your Pregnancy?
Expectant mothers and their families may look for a new home with more room or a better location when their baby is on the way. However, a new study shows that moving while pregnant may increase the chance of premature delivery in some circumstances.
Using data from more than 100,000 pregnant women in Washington state, the study conducted by the National Institutes of Health found that pregnant women who moved more than those who didn't during the first trimester had a 42 percent higher risk of giving birth prematurely (before 37 weeks of pregnancy) and a 37 percent higher risk of their babies being born underweight.
However, ultimately the researchers concluded that just one study wasn’t nearly enough to make any recommendations for women to move or not during their pregnancy.
As a general rule of thumb, pregnant women should try to avoid any potential stressors like moving, but, if it’s unavoidable, they should consult with their health team. Moreover, we’ve listed some tips that could help any mom-to-be’s move easier.
Tips for Moving During Pregnancy
- Talk to your doctor
- Move during the second trimester
- Get rid of what you don’t need
- Hire a home cleaning company
- Seek moving help
- Use a car shipping company
- Pack a moving day pregnancy kit
- Avoid toxic chemicals
- Avoid heavy lifting
To make your relocation as smooth and stress-free as possible, here are some crucial points to consider if you’re moving while pregnant.
First, Talk to Your Doctor
Prior to picking up a box, speak with your doctor to ensure that participating is safe for you. You should not participate if you have any health issues, such as a higher risk of premature labor.
When lifting for more than an hour a day, pregnant women should limit their weight to 18 pounds if they are under 20 weeks pregnant, and 13 pounds if they are above 20 weeks pregnant.
Moreover, if you’re moving to a new neighborhood, it’s recommended to have a health professional ready at the new location, prior to your move. You must consider that patients who may be more than 24 - 28 weeks pregnant are not accepted by many obstetricians.
Move During the Second Trimester, if Possible
Pregnant women should exercise as much as possible in the second trimester. Women who have conquered morning sickness, are more energetic and don't feel the pain that occurs in the weeks leading up to the birth of a baby are normally at this point. Hence, it’s strongly recommended to relocate during the second trimester and to take your medical documents with you when you do so.
Get Rid of What You Don’t Need
Be careful to organize, and sift through your things, and get rid of any unwanted stuff before moving day. You could transport things you want to donate to a local Goodwill or shelter using a carrier service.
Alternatively, you could consider selling unwanted things on online markets like Facebook Marketplace and even Let Go for some additional money ahead of your new baby’s birth!
Be sure to have new baby furniture, clothes, and other necessities sent to your new location, and put a notation on your baby registry asking for gifts to be forwarded to your new residential address to limit what you need to physically transport on the day of your move.
Hire a Home Cleaning Company
Dust bunnies and filth are the last things you would like to leave behind for the future owners of your home. While it’s not recommended to take a mop and clean yourself, you could consider hiring a cleaning company.
But, think about hiring a cleaning service to conduct the final cleaning of the home after everything has been put onto the moving truck and you’ve left the house. This is because you need to avoid harsh chemicals during your pregnancy.
Seek Moving Help
When you're pregnant, moving a sofa into a truck is the last thing you should be doing. You should avoid any heavy lifting in the first place. In order to achieve this, we highly suggest hiring expert movers.
Before they give you a price, have them undertake an in-home or video assessment of your possessions. A moving time and date that works for your complete family should be selected after you've selected a moving company.
For your movers to know exactly where everything goes on moving day, be sure you mark each box with the room it belongs in. Everyone will benefit from this, and it will make the whole process a lot less stressful.
Use a Car Shipping Company
Along with your furniture, the same goes for your car as well. Driving for long periods of time during your pregnancy is not recommended. On the other hand, if you’re planning to relocate to a location that you can’t drive to, the first thing that you’re probably worrying about is ‘what to do about the car?’
A car shipping company, like Carvaygo, can help you out in both scenarios. Simply book your appointment and let the professionals handle the rest.
Pack a Moving Day Pregnancy Kit
Moving while pregnant necessitates a few essentials that you can't go without. Make a list of these goods well in advance of moving day so that you may pack them all in a last-minute "essentials kit."
This kit is for your favorite pregnant snacks, prenatal vitamins, plus maternity clothing. The first night in a new place may be stressful, so make sure that you have everything you need to get a decent night's sleep.
Avoid the urge to toss these essentials in a random box while packing at the last moment. After a hard day of packing and unpacking, you don't want to waste time hunting for things and worrying about what you left behind.
Moving day supplies may be stored in a transparent plastic storage container. It will make it easier for you to locate your most important items when the time comes. Take it with you in your vehicle or truck's cab. In this manner, even if your other items are delayed, you will always have what you need.
Avoid Toxic Chemicals
It's important to be cautious while using cleaning solutions during a move since some of them contain hazardous chemicals. Avoid using bleach or ammonia in your cleaning process.
When cleaning your dishes, counters, and other surfaces around the house, always use gloves. In addition, we recommend using cleaning goods that do not include parabens, formaldehyde, or any other potentially harmful chemicals.
Avoid Heavy Lifting
Premature labor and low birth weight might be exacerbated in certain women during the first trimester by carrying heavy objects. Avoid lifting boxes at all costs if feasible.
During the first 20 weeks of pregnancy, pregnant women should avoid lifting or carrying objects that weigh more than 18 pounds; after that, the weight limit drops to 13 pounds.
If lifting is required, use correct lifting methods, such as crouching at the knees instead of the waist. Take a rest if you're experiencing cramps or pain.
What To Do Next
Regardless of how far along you are in your pregnancy, moving requires a lot of physical and emotional effort. Make sure to give yourself some additional time to relax as the moving week approaches. Set aside a few hours each day for a prenatal massage, nap, stroll, or prenatal yoga session. More importantly, remember that you shouldn’t be doing this all alone. Ask your friends and family for help, and the entire process will become a lot easier and even fun!
At Carvaygo, we understand how stressful moving can be, especially if you’re pregnant. This is why we strive to make the car shipping process straightforward, no matter where you decide to move. So, contact us at Carvaygo to transport your vehicle from your old home to your new home without any hassles.
Sources:
House move during early pregnancy linked to heightened premature birth risk | ScienceDaily
Physical Demands (lifting, standing, bending) - Reproductive Health | NIOSH | CDC
Systematic Review of Yoga for Pregnant Women: Current Status and Future Directions | PMC
