Moving homes can be an incredibly stressful time for anyone. Past research commissioned by Portable on Demand Storage found that 1 in 3 Australians rank moving homes as the second most stressful event, right after experiencing a divorce. Two-thirds of women said they found it a stressful experience compared to 49 percent of men. For women who are pregnant, moving homes during early pregnancy can increase their chances of premature birth, says research published in the Journal of Epidemiology & Community Health. While women’s bodies do incredible things during pregnancy, you must also be mindful of taking care of your body as it prepares for motherhood– particularly during a house move. If you are moving homes while pregnant, there are things you can do to ensure it goes smoothly, starting with planning ahead.

Plan Your Move Early And In Spurts

Giving yourself adequate time to sort, pack and move homes means you can take regular breaks and go slowly. This also helps you move homes safely during pregnancy. It also helps to plan for your move early. Map out a moving day plan and give yourself enough time to schedule moving around the additional commitments that come with pregnancy such as antenatal classes and regular checkups. Finally, one of the things many women experience during different stages of their pregnancy is exhaustion. To avoid overexerting yourself, try packing for your move in segments. One tip is to focus on packing by room.

Get Ahead Of Pregnancy Brain And Utilize To-Do Lists

“Pregnancy brain” can begin as early as the first trimester. In fact, research by European researchers has shown that pregnancy can alter a woman’s brain for at least 2 years. Around 4 in 5 women admit to experiencing cognitive changes during their pregnancies including forgetfulness and a lack of concentration, according to researchers at Deakin University. To help with the many tasks that come with moving, utilize organizational tools like a to-do list. To-do lists can be used throughout the entire moving process, too. For instance, it can help you with the process of estimating the market value of your house before you list it. It can also help you keep track of the paperwork needed if you are applying for a mortgage.

Declutter Before You Move (Or Nest)

Clutter can not only make moving much harder, but it can also create an unsafe hazard for pregnant women. Before you begin packing for your house move, focus on decluttering your home of things you do not need. If you are not a Marie Kondo fan try one of the other simple decluttering methods to get started.

Also, to minimize the amount of furniture to move you can delay ordering nursery furniture until you have moved to your new home or have it delivered directly to your new place. As a bonus, this can also save you money on moving costs and time. It may also be a good idea to check with your physician on how safe it is to be moving heavy items such as boxes. Don’t be afraid to reach out for help with the move by hiring a professional or asking family. Knowing when to ask for help is an important part of avoiding stress when moving homes while pregnant.

ABOUT OUR CONTRIBUTOR:
Sara is now a freelance writer who pens pieces on parenting, and lifestyle but prior to this she worked as an holistic therapist and took a keen interest in diet and fitness. She lives with her partner and their daughter and a menagerie of pets