Pregnancy is difficult enough without throwing in the stresses of moving, but sometimes life aligns itself in mysterious ways. A move might be required to accommodate a nursery for your new addition, or the move could be an unexpected event that caused an immediate need for a change of residence in the middle of your pregnancy.

Regardless of the reason, motivation and energy is already in short order when you are an expectant mother, so juggling the logistics and anxiety of moving while battling bouts of nausea, and a litany of aches and pains, sounds like torture.

First, let us be very clear, you can have a meltdown or two along the way when things do not go as planned, and do not ever get frustrated because you feel you are not pulling your weight. You are definitely doing your part by carrying the weight of an unborn child, both literally and figuratively, while dealing with the logistics of a move to a new residence. Feel free to express yourself emotionally, and always get help whenever and wherever you need it. Second, as soon as you know that you are moving, talk with your physician when see her or him to get expert advice from a professional, who knows what your body and mind can and cannot handled during this stressful time.

Finally, Royal is here to help you reduce the stress of moving while pregnant with several tips you should either “not” do or things you “can” do as you countdown to the moving date, as you prove, once again, that mothers, even expectant ones, are capable of nearly anything.

Do Not Lift Heavy Items During a Move While Pregnant

There are things that an expecting mother should shield themselves from by doctor’s orders. Heavy lifting is out of the question, and moving anything up and down staircases is never a good idea when you are carrying a baby. Do not lift any item that is heavier than 18 pounds if you are 20 weeks pregnant or less, and do not lift anything that weighs more than 13 pounds if you are more than 20 weeks pregnant, according to the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health. However, those weights are only a general guideline, so ask your doctor about all of your moving concerns before you begin the process. Do not take these things lightly, as 13 pounds sneaks up on you in a hurry. For example, 10 books is about 13 pounds, and some blenders can way more than 13 pounds. In fact, a some five- and six-quart standard mixers can weigh up to 30 pounds.

Be Aware of Toxic Fumes from Cleaning Supplies and Paint While Pregnant

It is unhealthy to inhale the fumes of some cleaning supplies while cleaning your old residence or new home. Many paints are also dangerous, along with some glues, solvents, aerosol sprays, used cat litter, and dust. Toxic fumes from these products can be damaging to an unborn child, and even though ammonia and chlorine might not harm the baby, they could make you nauseous or lightheaded, which could lead to a tumble and injury. Take ultimate precautions and hire someone to clean the house and do the painting. If it is not possible to pay someone or find help, purchase pregnant-friendly cleaning supplies, wear gloves and a mask, and ventilate the project area with fans and open windows. In addition, renovations to the new home should be complete before you move into the new home. Stay at a friend’s or relative’s house while repairs are being made are during the process of remodeling.

Moving List and Take Notes When Moving While Pregnant

Everyone feels better when she or he makes a checklist of things that they need to accomplish, regardless of the situation at hand, but this is especially true when moving. Instead of a jumbled, unmanageable pile of things floating through your mind and creating chaos, a numbered list eases a lot of the stress. Crossing those items off the list as you complete each task feels even better.

Furthermore, there is a thing called “pregnancy brain,” and be certain that you are suffering from this syndrome, because hormonal changes and stress from pregnancy cause a lack of focus, which leads to memory lapses. If you are not careful, you will forget to transfer the utilities, move your medical prescriptions to a new pharmacy, or hire a cleaning service. Make that list and continue to add to it as you things of things you need to do along the way, before you forget something crucial. In addition, hire a professional mover as soon as you know your move-in date because it is a welcome relief to know that is out of the way, and you have more options and get a better deal, the further out you schedule a moving company. Hiring a pro reduces emotional, mental, and physical stress during a move.

Use that Baby Bump to Get Moving Help

There is one thing that is certain, “pregnancy” can move mountains. Ask your family and friends to assist you with whatever you need, especially on moving day. No one wants you to overly exert yourself or harm the baby, so use the power of the bump to gather as many people as possible to do the heavy lifting for you. If that is not possible, or you just are not the type to ask for help, call a professional moving company like Royal Moving. Royal not only has trained and professional moving crews and the proper equipment to move your belongings efficiently and safely, but they also have packing and unpacking services, and everything is covered by a flat hourly rate, so there are no hidden charges.

Start Packing Early While You Still Have Some Energy Left

The first thing on your checklist, after you have a house, a moving date, and have hired a professional mover, should be to get an early start on packing. As your pregnancy progresses, your energy will drift way. Even if you feel that you have no energy “right now”, you will have less energy in a month, a week down the road, or even tomorrow. Get your boxes and packing tape now, and start packing things slowly. Also, make sure that you take a break every 30 minutes to get a drink of water and put your feet up to help your circulation and reduce swelling.

By spreading the packing of your possessions across weeks instead of a few days, the process will be less stressful on you emotionally and physically. It might even feel cathartic as you prepare each box. Pack all of the things you can pack first, simply because you are pregnant, which consists of probably most of your pre-pregnancy clothes. Look at it this way, if you pack two boxes a day during the weeks that lead up to your moving day, you will surely be done well in advance, and think how good it will feel to check that “huge” item off your list.

Label Your Boxes and Stay Organized

Since it is likely you will be receiving the boxes as they are delivered to your new home, since you will not be moving them out of your old residence, make sure that each box is labeled with its contents to make them easier to unpack. It also helps to take a picture of the contents of each box with your camera phone before you tape the box closed. Then, you can label the container to align with the picture you took, so you know the exact room or other location that your box needs to go, so that you do not have to make any extra effort to move boxes around the house. Furthermore, you will also know the order that each box needs to be unpacked, according to its immediate need.

Once you begin to pack, you can pack many items while you are sitting down. There is no need for you to stand and bend in uncomfortable ways, so have a seat. Grab a stack of plates, set them next to a chair, and wrap and pack them.

Pack a “Day One” Move-In Box

Make sure you have “Box #1” prepared, which is “the” box you will need as soon as you land in your new residence. First-day necessities from toilet paper to paper plates should be in the box, so that you do not have to dig through your containers to find a specific item.

This box should have everything you need for a single night, just in case you have no energy to unpack anything at the end of the first day, and you probably will not have any battery life left. Remember, you will need some snacks, hydration with electrolytes, device chargers, medicine, toiletries, sleeping clothes, and a Redbox DVD if your WiFi and cable are not set up yet.

Think about making your life easier for the entirety of the first week. Have paper plates and plastic ware at the ready, so you do not have to unpack your dishes and clean them after you use them while you have so many other things to do during the first week after a move.

Make Money while Reducing Your Moving Time and Costs

Reduce the amount of items you will need to move by doing a little “practical downsizing.” Sell your seldom-used possessions, which is an easy process these days with phone Apps and Websites like Poshmark and Craigslist. These virtual marketplaces provide you with a worldwide base of buyers, and you do not even have to leave your house, or put together a garage sale. It is even possible to make enough money to pay for moving expenses and purchase baby necessities that you have yet to buy.

Donate what you cannot sell. If you have a large item or many small items that you want to donate, you can schedule a pick-up from the charity organization that you choose. They will be happy to remove the items from your home, so you do not have to move them across town yourself. Then, throw away those things that cannot sell or are not quality charitable items.

Also, consider having a baby shower “after” your move, so you do not have to pack and move any new items around twice or have extra items that might get in the way while you move. Consider, asking for gift cards if your baby shower is before the move, and do not buy anything for the baby until you are in your new “crib”.

Organize Your Healthcare Provider

While you visit your doctor before the move, make sure that you discuss your needs for a good set of doctors on the other end of the move because your physician should be able to help find great medically care. Furthermore, do not forget your medical records on your way out, if you have to move offices. In addition, many doctors are uncomfortable taking on a new patient late in pregnancy, and will not accept new patient who are more than 24-28 weeks along in their pregnancy. Even if you find a doctor that does, there is always a lot of paperwork involved even when they do, so start a dialogue with a new doctor in your future location as soon as possible.

Take Care of Yourself When Moving While Pregnant

Your pregnant body is preparing your for labor, so your hormones are changing on a daily basis. One hormonal change is an increase in relaxin, which the placenta secretes to assist in dilating the cervix. However, it also plays tricks on the rest of your body by loosening your body’s ligaments, which makes you more prone to injury if you are carrying heavy items. Along with the extra weight and changes in posture, it is very clear you have to sit this one out.

In addition, if you have other kids that are currently in the world who are not jabbing your ribs from the inside, you will need someone to watch those rug-rats on the day of the move. They do not need to be under your feet, playing in the street, or begging you for chow when you have work to do and a bunch of other stresses to sort out. Ask a friend or family member to watch them on moving day. The same goes for any pets, which you can you board at a kennel if needed.

Take it slow, take every precaution, and take care of yourself!

Get A Quote