Moving house can be stressful under normal circumstances, but doing so while pregnant takes it to another level entirely. Moving to a bigger home tends to be prompted by pregnancy, as your little new arrival comes with an abundance of furniture and baby gear. 

Although moving while pregnant can be challenging, there are numerous strategies to help you stay calm and minimise stress. Join us as we explore how to make moving home a safe and positive experience for you and your bump. 

• Things to Avoid When Moving House While Pregnant
• Pregnant and Moving House: Our 8 Top Tips
• Moving House When Pregnant FAQs

Things to Avoid When Moving House While Pregnant

It is easy to get swept up in the hustle and bustle of moving house, but when you are pregnant, it is essential to take a step back and let others help you.

You can still be involved in every step of your house move, but it’s crucial to delegate some tasks and prioritise your health and safety and your baby’s.

Moving During the First and Third Trimester

A recent study has warned that moving home during your first trimester could increase your risk of premature birth, which risks your child developing severe health issues. This is because potential triggers for preterm delivery include increased levels of stress and physical exhaustion.

It is recommended to avoid moving if you have a high-risk pregnancy or are already in your third trimester, as the stress and exhaustion involved with moving could result in health complications or an early delivery of your baby.

House Cleaning or Repainting

Most people are unaware that you must limit exposure to a wide range of chemicals, such as ammonia and bleach, while pregnant. Painting your home is better left to someone else due to the chemicals in solvent-based paints.

Suppose no one is available to complete the tasks. In that case, you can make homemade cleaning concoctions containing pregnancy-safe chemicals or use water-based paints, but only once you have entered the second trimester of your pregnancy. Always wear protective clothing and do not consume food where you clean or paint.

Lifting Heavy Objects

Handling large and heavy objects while pregnant is a big no-no. A general rule of thumb is that pregnant women should avoid lifting objects above 18 lbs until 20 weeks and no more than 13 lbs if they are more than 20 weeks pregnant.

Lifting heavy objects during a house move requires a proper lifting technique to prevent strain or injury. These injuries can be worse for pregnant women; therefore, it is vital to leave the heavy lifting to someone else while you tackle the smaller items, or even better, just oversee the move.

Pregnant and Moving House: Our 8 Top Tips

Consult Your Doctor

Speaking with your doctor before making big life decisions is essential. Your doctor may advise against moving if you are currently in your first or third trimester, in which the stress associated with moving may trigger a preterm delivery. A licenced heath specialist can consult your health status and advise you on what is and is not safe to attempt, as the safety and well-being of you and your baby are top priorities.

Plan Ahead

Once you decide to move home, you should start planning immediately. Elevated stress levels could negatively affect you and your baby. Pregnancy often comes with what people fondly call “pregnancy brain”. 

When planning an entire house move, keeping track of things that need to be done and important dates can be challenging. Create a checklist covering your moving schedule and essential tasks so you do not forget anything regarding your move.

Seek as Much Help as Possible

Whether you are pregnant or not, when you are moving home, it can be tempting to carry out all the moving chores yourself so that you do not burden anyone else with the move. However, for your and your baby’s safety, it is essential to rally all your friends and family and ask for assistance with moving day and the moving-related tasks leading up to it, such as packing.

Pick a Reasonable Moving Date

Whether you are moving down the road or to a new region in the country, it is vital to pick a suitable moving date so that you can participate in the move and ensure your safety and that of your baby. 

Many pregnant women experience morning sickness in the first trimester, so it may be best to avoid moving when you need the most rest. 

In your third trimester, it can be challenging to move around freely, and you do not want to trigger any contractions during the move. Therefore, selecting a moving date in the second trimester may be beneficial.

Prepare an Essentials Bag

If you are moving house close to the end of your pregnancy, you do not want to lose your hospital essentials in the bulk of your furniture and belongings. Therefore, it is important to pack an essentials bag, including clothes, medication, toiletries, snacks, and drinks, alongside your hospital bag in case the move triggers early labour.

Take Regular Breaks

Your health and safety should be a number one priority when moving home while pregnant, so remember to take regular breaks and stay hydrated. Scheduling your breaks and meals throughout the moving day will give your body a chance to recuperate and provide you with the energy and motivation to carry out moving tasks during downtime. 

Stay Positive

Moving house can be very stressful, and the last thing that a pregnant woman needs is more stress in her life. As hard as it might seem, staying positive is one of the best ways to ensure you don’t lose your cool on your moving day. Try to think about why you’re moving home and how all the hard work will be worth it once your baby arrives.

Hire Professional Help

You may wish to hire a professional domestic removal company to help you with your move. In addition to doing the heavy lifting and handling the transportation of your furniture and belongings, Guardian Removals offers a comprehensive moving service that includes packing, loading, transporting, unloading, and arranging your belongings into your new home. 

By hiring home movers, you are putting your house move in trustworthy hands. This will enable you to rest as much as possible during the move and focus on your health and well-being.

Moving House While Pregnant FAQs

Do I need to change my GP when I move?

You only need to change your GP if you leave your current GP’s catchment area. You should research this before you move in case you need a check-up soon after your moving date. Become aware of which hospital you plan to deliver your baby in so you can get there quickly if needed.

Is it safe to move house while pregnant?

Yes, it is generally safe to move while pregnant, but you must consult your doctor before making any significant decisions. Avoid heavy lifting tasks and take regular breaks to avoid stress and fatigue.

How can I reduce stress during a move while pregnant?

Start planning early, delegate tasks, stay organised with checklists, ask for help from family and friends, and hire professional movers. Although getting involved in the move is tempting, you must take a step back and oversee the move with your health and safety in mind.

Can I lift boxes while pregnant?

It is generally advisable to avoid any form of heavy lifting while you are pregnant. If needed, you can lift light boxes using proper lifting techniques to prevent injury. Bend your knees, keep the box close to your body, and avoid twisting.

Safely Move Home While Pregnant with Guardian Removals

At Guardian Removals, we offer a comprehensive moving service that covers packing, storing, loading, transporting, and unloading your belongings into your new home. We appreciate the importance of your and your baby’s safety, so place your trust in us and let us make your house move a positive and seamless experience.

Our experienced team goes the extra mile to ensure your house move runs smoothly, so contact us today to kick your feet up and relax!

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