Top Tips for Moving House while Pregnant
A study from the University of Washington Medical School has warned that moving home during your first trimester could increase your chance of delivering a small or premature baby. This risks your child developing serious health complications, including hearing problems, poor growth and cerebral palsy.
If you are planning on moving house while pregnant, do so with caution. Follow our guidelines for staying safe before, during and after your move.
Before the move
- Make a plan
Elevated stress levels could affect your baby. Plan your move ahead of time to reduce anxiety and ensure the process runs smoothly. Consider the following:
– Are you going to use a professional removals company?
– How are you going to pack your items?
– How are you going to lift and transport your items?
– Do you need to store your items?
– Is anyone available to help you?
- Speak to your doctor
A general rule is that pregnant women should avoid lifting above 18lbs if they are less than 20 weeks, and 13lbs if they are more than 20 weeks. A licensed health specialist will be able to advise you on what is and isn’t safe to attempt, depending on your personal health status.
- Use a professional packing service
Packing can be a hazardous task for pregnant women. The physical and hormonal changes that accompany pregnancy make it far easier to injure yourself from simple bending and lifting manoeuvres.
We strongly recommend using a professional moving company to pack on your behalf. Professionals will pack all of your items using suitable packaging and materials. Each box will be categorised and labelled for simple unloading in your new home.
During the move
- Move cautiously
When you’re pregnant, your centre of gravity shifts. This can leave you off balance and increase your risk of falling. Hold onto the bannister when walking up and down the stairs and make sure your path is clear before moving.
- Rest when you need to
The extra weight gained during pregnancy might make you tire more easily. It’s important to sit and rest at appropriate intervals to give your body a chance to recover.
- Ask for help
Moving heavy furniture while pregnant can be difficult and dangerous. There’s no shame in asking for a little extra assistance to ensure the process runs smoothly. You could ask friends or family to assist with the moving process, but we recommend hiring a professional moving company.
Many professional moving companies provide help and assistance for every step of the process. Packing, transporting and unloading can all be made easier and safer by accepting a helping hand.
Once you’re settled
- Find and register with a new GP
This is extremely important while you’re pregnant, as you’ll likely be needing to visit the doctor regularly — both during and after your pregnancy. Note that this will only apply if you’ve moved out of the catchment area for your current GP.
- Research your new neighbourhood
Another step for alleviating anxiety is to research your new neighbourhood before you arrive. This will give you an understanding of which shops, parks and restaurants are easy to reach while pregnant. Plan your new routine ahead of time to prepare for life both heavily pregnant and as a new mother.
- Consider using storage
Rearranging your new home can be stressful even at the best of times, let alone with a baby on the way. If you still have many months before you’re due to give birth, consider using storage for baby or nursery items. This will allow you to focus on furnishing and decorating your new home without the stress of extra clutter. When the time draws closer, simply remove your items from storage to create a beautiful new nursery for your newborn.
Simon Long Removals provide professional, friendly and efficient moving services to customers across Norwich, Norfolk and Cambridge. We will facilitate a smooth transition into your new home by providing professional assistance across the whole moving process. We offer packing services, transportation services and flexible storage services. If you’d like a hand with your move, feel free to get in touch with our team today
