Pregnancy may not be the ideal time to move to a new home, but sometimes it’s necessary. We moved from Florida to Pennsylvania when I was four weeks away from my due date with our third baby. Whether you are moving to the next block or across the country, there are some things you should consider.
If possible, allow plenty of time to pack. When we moved, my husband got a promotion with his company. They gave him about three weeks’ notice to move. I was working full time as a teacher and had a two year old and a four year old at home. We had lived in our home for ten years, so we had a lot of stuff to pack, sell or donate.
Try to find help in packing and preparing for the move. My sister in law flew down from Pennsylvania to Florida for a long weekend to help me pack and get ready for our move. She is an amazing person and has become a friend over the years. I was so grateful for her help and support. I truly don’t know how I would have done it without her!
Take it easy and try not to over do it. Packing an entire house is exhausting and can be very stressful. When my sister in law came to help, I made sure we took a break every day to do something fun. This was for my benefit and hers as well. She had just flown 1200 miles to help and I wanted her to enjoy her stay a little bit. We took the girls to the beach one day and relaxed in our pool the next afternoon for a few hours.
Leave the heavy lifting to the men (or the non pregnant women) in your life. When we moved, my job was to pack the boxes, label them and tape them up. My husband got to haul the boxes and load the moving truck. One tip that I learned: don’t pack the boxes too much. I nearly killed my poor husband with a very large box stuffed full of my books from college and my classroom.
You will need to find a new health care provider. This part can be very stressful, especially if you are moving far from home. Try to get a referral from your current doctor or midwife. If this is not possible, ask for advice from mothers in the area where you will be moving. Women who have given birth in the area can direct you to the best health care professionals for your delivery.
Related Articles:
Choosing a Health Care Provider for Pregnancy
Deciding Where to Have Your Baby