According to a U.S. study regarding the dynamics of relocating during the first trimester, researchers found that this event can add to the stress and risk factors that contribute to premature birth, lower birth weight, or a smaller baby than its median gestational age.

One of the best ways to reduce the chances of these risk factors appearing is to work with your healthcare provider to ensure you receive the supports needed in both locations.

Once you have a support network available, these tips can help you survive the day.

Best Ways to Handle Moving When Pregnant

Before you start the moving process, it is crucial to speak with your doctor about what is allowable and avoid. In most situations, you’ll want to avoid carrying anything heavier than 18 pounds before the pregnancy reaches 20 weeks.

After 20 weeks, you’ll want to carry 13 pounds or less at a time. Taking this step can reduce the risk of experiencing pre-term labor.

Here are the other ways that you can get through a moving day successfully when pregnant.

1. Ask for more help.

support

For most women, the challenging part about moving a day when pregnant is understanding and recognizing their limitations. You probably stay up late to do some packing, helping with moving the furniture, and lifting a few heavy boxes. It might be necessary to remind yourself to avoid those tasks continuously.

You can contact several service providers to help during the moving process. Most cleaners work hourly to help you remove clutter, while professional moving companies can assist with the loading and unloading work.

2. Bend and lift safely.

pregnant lady packing things

Pregnancy causes more relaxin to get produced within the body. This hormone causes your ligaments to loosen, helping with the labor and delivery process.

When you include lifting and bending movements from moving day with higher relaxin levels, you’re at a greater risk of experiencing an injury.

Not only do you need to remember to lift with your legs and not your back, but you must also bend from the hips with a straight back while holding items close to your chest.

You’ll want to carry lighter and smaller loads with greater frequency. It might help have wrist splints, supportive shoes, and support belts available for the moving work.

3. Give yourself more time.

running time

You’ll want to start the moving work at least 90 minutes before your estimated time. Pregnancy causes your body to work harder with all of your packing activities, which means you’ll need time to rest about every 30 minutes.

When you stand in the same place for too long, you’ll also see swelling start to form in your extremities.

If your wrists or ankles get uncomfortable from the swelling, you’ll want to lie down with your affected areas above your heart. This method lets your body return the fluids to where they should be, but the process could take up to an hour.

4. Create a written schedule and to-do list for moving day.

checklist

“Pregnancy brain” can be a devastating part of your moving day experience. When you have thousands of items on your agenda, it’s easy to forget something that needs to get done. If you write a to-do list that stays in a prominent location, it will be easier to remember the things you need to accomplish.

If you don’t like using paper lists and schedules, your calendar app on your tablet or smartphone can help you keep track of the moving day milestones you need to hit. Apps like Sortly can help you create labels or manage your inventory, plus Expo Movers provides tagging service as promised.

5. Have a moving day kit available.

bag woman

When you move, it helps to have a go-bag that includes the essentials needed for a first night at your new home. That list includes shampoo, conditioner, soap, toilet paper, a change of clothes, medications, and anything else you’ll need over the next day or two as you get unpacked.

If you move when pregnant, you’ll want to include something where you can sit comfortably. It also helps to have a few electrolytes and snacks available to keep your blood sugar under control.

When you follow these steps, you’ll find that moving during pregnancy doesn’t have to be the worst experience in the world! If you need any help with your relocation, our team is standing by to offer a free, no-obligation quote so that you can enjoy this time in your life even more.

Quality Starts Here

Trust Expo Movers for a hassle-free moving experience.

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By Published On: January 11, 2021Categories: Moving Tips