Growing your family – whether it’s by having your first child or your fifth – is an exciting time in your life. But it can also be stressful, especially when you learn that you’ll be moving while pregnant.
While any move will undeniably be stressful, there are some ways to make it easier on yourself (and your family) if you’re moving while expecting a child. Here are some ways to make moving while pregnant simpler for you:
Move Earlier Rather Than Later
If you’re lucky enough to have a choice of when you move, opt for earlier in your pregnancy rather than later. Your side effects will be less severe, plus you’ll be able to take on more of the work yourself. Moving late in the pregnancy also requires less lead time for you to prep your new home for a baby, not to mention unpack everything you need to live there.
Call In the Troops for Help
It takes a village to raise a child, and it takes a village to move a pregnant mother-to-be. On top of your immediate family, ask any family and friends living in your area if they’d be willing to help out with your move. Not everyone needs to lift the heavy stuff (you can use Dolly for that!), but friends and family can help you pack, organize for your move, and even (if they’re willing) help you prep quick meals for the days surrounding your move. If you don’t have friends in the area to help, hire a professional packing service. It will give you more time to organize the rest of your move and will take literal weight off your weary shoulders.
Moving Long Distance During Your Pregnancy? Talk to Your Health Insurance Provider
Health insurance policy details have many subtle differences from state to state – but while those subtle details wouldn’t matter normally, they’re key when you know you’ll be in the hospital for a few days to give birth. You also may need to find a new doctor or decide on a pediatrician before you make the move. And if you’re moving because you or your spouse has taken a new job, make sure you’ve clarified with the employer when the new insurance policy starts – otherwise, you may need to get your own insurance in the interim.
Prepare for Any and All Pregnancy-Related Medical Problems
If you’re in your third trimester, you probably already have a hospital bag ready and on your person at all times. If you haven’t packed yours yet, now is the time to put one together. Keep it in your personal vehicle on moving day, and stock it with a few extra items you may need: medications and doctor-approved pain relievers, self-care items like lotion or oils, and plenty of snacks to curb any and all cravings. If you’re moving to an unfamiliar area, it’s a good idea to write down the addresses of some nearby hospitals, and a few along the way, too (especially if your move involves a long-distance drive).
Prep for Baby Proofing Before Move-In
Baby-proofing is hard to plan if you’re moving to a new place, but it is possible. Take meticulous photos while you visit and note how many hazards – like banisters, stairs, or balconies – there are in the home. Measure these spaces as well to see what size baby gate you’ll need. And when moving to an older property, you’ll also want to test for lead poisoning in the paint – this is highly unlikely, but possible in homes built before the 1950s. You can buy a simple lead testing kit that gives you results (and likely some peace of mind) in just a few minutes.
Already Have Children? Find Babysitters ASAP
Taking care of your existing children during a move is difficult under normal circumstances; while pregnant, it’s nearly impossible. Hire a babysitter that would be willing to watch your kids in their own home (or take them out for the day) so you can focus on your own well-being and conducting a successful move. In the case of a long-distance move, you won’t be able to hire a babysitter to watch your children during the move, but if you use a service like care.com, you can find sitters in your new area that will watch your kids for the first day or two so you can start unpacking without distraction.
Let Others Do The Work
It’s natural to feel like you want to do everything to make sure it’s done right, but when you’re eating and stressing for two instead of one, this is what you absolutely don’t want to do. Don’t lift heavy boxes, have Dolly take care of your lifting instead. Don’t drive, ask your partner or close friend to do it while you run the GPS. And most importantly, don’t focus on whether things are going well, just focus on your own well being: drink lots of water, eat well, and make sure your recliner is the first thing that gets unpacked so you can rest easy while everything else gets done.
Being stress-free is the key to having a successful move during pregnancy. Here at Dolly, we can help you do exactly that: we’ll send you as many Helpers as you need (and pickup trucks if you need them!) to take care of all the loading and unloading. Now you have time to kick back, relax, and start thinking of a theme for the nursery.
Dolly helps you move on your schedule and at an affordable price. Book now and see the difference: https://dolly.com.