While it’s true that some of the most famous people in history were born while their mother was visiting Edinburgh, you may want to reconsider moving house when pregnant. After all, moving is one of the most stressful a person can go through in life.
However, even if it is not advisable for pregnant women to do something as physically and mentally demanding as home relocation, most parents-to-be find that they must move into a home that is ideal for infants and young children before their newborn comes into the world.
So, if you think a house move when you are well into your pregnancy is unavoidable, it is crucial for you to figure out what you should do (and not do) to avoid stressing yourself out further.
What To Do When Moving While Pregnant
From physical strain and exhaustion to mental stress, quite a few things make moving while pregnant very risky. Here are some tips which you may find helpful in avoiding the previously mentioned risks, among many others:
Consult Your Doctor
Before anything else, you will want to make sure that you are given the all-clear to take on a task as stressful and strenuous as moving house. Ensure you and your baby are healthy enough to undergo a house move and that you are not at risk for any complications.
Meanwhile, if you have a high-risk pregnancy or are close to giving birth, it would be advisable for you to sit out the physically demanding parts of the move or postpone it until after your baby has been delivered. However, you will still want to consult your doctor if you are travelling to a faraway place for the house move.
You may also take this opportunity to ask your doctor to refer you to an obstetrician closer to your new place. If they are unable to do so, be sure to begin arranging your new health care provider as early as possible.
Stay Hydrated
Although it doesn’t seem like it would be beneficial in the grand scheme of things, staying hydrated is actually very crucial in making sure you and your baby stay safe during the house move.
After all, dehydration in pregnant women may lead to overheating, migraines, urinary tract infections, and even early contractions. So, be sure to keep track of your fluid intake and make sure that you are getting 10-13 glasses of water in a day.
Make A Moving House Checklist
When you are with child, it is pretty common to suffer something called the “pregnancy brain,” which involves being forgetful and essentially being scatterbrained. This is not a serious pregnancy complication, but it can be pretty frustrating, and therefore, stressful when you are losing track of dates or forgetting a couple of tasks at hand. Others may even find that these types of dilemmas can also quite literally cost people their money and time. And so, to ensure that this does not happen, you will want to consider making a moving house checklist.
A moving house checklist should outline all the important dates throughout your moving process, moreover, it should include all the tasks which you should have accomplished within a predetermined time frame. If you have the time and the energy, you may even include your budget and detailed schedule on this checklist.
Rent An Edinburgh Self Storage Unit
It would also be in your best interest to rent an Edinburgh self storage unit during this time. After all, there are more than a few reasons that make it an ideal move. Here are some that you may find particularly interesting:
You can take your time with the moving in and the unpacking. By keeping your still packed boxes out of sight in a storage unit, you will not feel the immense pressure or stress to finish unpacking ASAP.
Aside from reducing your stress levels, keeping these unopened boxes away will also minimise the risk of you hitting or tripping over the mess.
You’ll be getting a headstart on baby-proofing the house and making room for your baby in the new place. Instead of doing another round of packing and moving the items you will be clearing out for your baby’s arrival, you may just opt to move them directly from your old place into a storage unit.
Expect The Unexpected
Despite knowing what to do and what not to do when you are moving house while expecting, it would still be beneficial for you to be prepared for the unexpected. That means, aside from your typical moving essentials (change of clothes, medication, chargers, money, snacks and drinks), you will also want to be prepared with a first aid kit and your hospital bag.
It would also be helpful for you to know the hospitals or emergency centres near your new place. If possible, have the coordinates saved on your GPS. Doing so will ensure that you won’t waste a single minute if something does happen.
Things You Must Not Do When Moving While Pregnant
Meanwhile, here are some things you must remember not to do during this time:
Physically Exert Yourself Too Much
Standing too long, lifting heavy objects, bending over to reach for items are only some of the things that you should not do when you are pregnant. After all, too much of these things may pose potential risks for both you and your unborn baby.
Instead, it would be much more ideal for you to focus on planning and organising the move. If you find that you need to do some manual labour, make sure to regularly take breaks, get off your feet when you can, and stick to carrying light objects only.
Wait Until The Last Minute To Pack
Packing is a long, tedious task. It will take you hours, if not days, to complete the task at normal productivity and speed. By waiting until the last minute to pack, you are essentially putting immense pressure on yourself and amplifying your stress tenfold.
So, give yourself more time to pack your belongings as this would minimise your stress and make sure that you get enough rest throughout the task.
Here are some more ways for you to make your house move less stressful.
Attempt To Do All The Work On Your Own
No matter how you look at it, attempting to complete this move without additional help would be foolish and very risky, especially for pregnant women. So, it would be ideal for you to get some people to help you out. You may do this two ways.
First, hire professional movers or a man and van service to help you out with the move. Such professionals will have the training and the experience to ensure that everything you own is transported safely and securely. However, it will cost you some money, albeit minimal.
Alternatively, you may recruit some friends and family to help you out with the job. You may ask them not only to help you with the actual moving and transportation but with the packing, decluttering, and cleaning as well. The best part? Most of them wouldn’t ask for cash compensation, as they’ll be all set with some food and some booze!
With these helpful tips, you can make your move as easy and smooth-sailing as possible during pregnancy! However, most people will still find themselves needing some adapting or adjusting throughout their house move.
So, don’t worry if something doesn’t work well at first! Just remember that your safety and the safety of your baby should always be the priority, and you’ll surely be good to go!