If you browse a list of the most stressful life events, you’re sure to find moving house listed near the top. Looking for houses, dealing with solicitors, saving for fees – every stage seems to bring yet more things to worry about. If you’ve battled through all of that stress, and have made it to moving day, you may be wondering how you can ensure the day passes as smoothly as possible. After all, if moving house makes it into the top five, pregnant and moving house must be even more difficult.
It’s all in the planning
The best way to reduce stress, is to plan the move thoroughly. Work out what you can pack in advance, and start packing it. Clearly label all of the boxes so that the removal men know where to put them, and you know where to find things in the new house. Try to pack logically, and keep boxes organised by room, so that unpacking is a little easier.
Leave it to the professionals
A man with van is no friend to a pregnant woman. If your budget will stretch to it, hire a removal company to take care of the move. They will take care of everything, and leave you feeling worry-free in the hands of the professionals. If money is no object, you could even pay them extra to do all of the packing and unpacking for you.
Call in favors
Pregnancy is no time to be moving home single-handedly. Call in reinforcements in the form of your long-suffering friends and family. Whether you need help packing, filling boxes, or choosing new furniture for your house, your friends and family will be more than happy to help. After all, they’ll be able to remind you of their assistance when that adorable baby is born and they fancy a cuddle.
Avoid heavy lifting
Pregnancy hormones cause all of your ligaments and tendons to relax, leaving you at risk of muscle strains. You should avoid lifting heavy weights during pregnancy because of the risk of aches, pains and muscle strains. If you are shifting boxes, be sure to practice good body mechanics – bend at the knees not the waist, carry packages close to your body, and lift with your thighs not your back.
Listen to your body
Moving day will probably be long – an early start, a late finish, and lots of hard work and stress between. You need more rest during pregnancy, and may find yourself exhausted on moving day. Listen to your body, and rest when you feel you need to. Make sure you have somewhere comfy to rest, and that you can rest undisturbed in a quiet room if necessary.
Keep your hospital bag close
If you are nearing the end of your pregnancy, keep your packed hospital bag somewhere handy at all times. You never know when you might go into labor, but if it does happens, the last thing you need is a mad scramble to try and find your bag.
Avoid fumes
You may want to take extra caution around chemical and paint fumes during pregnancy. If the new house will need a mammoth clean before you move in, you may be best hiring the professionals for this job. Alternatively you could ask friends and family to help out. Keep windows open until the cleaning fumes have cleared up. If you’re planning to paint, you could opt for eco paints that don’t contain Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs). VOCs are released into the air during and after painting, and can cause headaches and dizziness.
Moving to a new area
If you are moving to a new area, you will need to sign up to a new healthcare provider. Do this as soon as possible to ensure you receive continuous care throughout your pregnancy.
You may also want to make some new friends. Prenatal classes, bumps and babies groups, and local community groups are great ways to get in touch with other moms-to-be in your local area.
Good luck for moving day. Remember, listen to your body and rest as often as you need to. Sit back, relax, and consider yourself more of a project manager than a mover. Enjoy your new family home.
Written by Fiona, proud owner of a toddler, @fiona_peacock
This information is not intended to replace the advice of a trained medical doctor. Health & Parenting Ltd disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this information, which is provided to you on a general information basis only and not as a substitute for personalized medical advice. All contents copyright © Health & Parenting Ltd 2018. All rights reserved.
