Moving During Pregnancy Safely and Easily

Moving during pregnancy is not the way things are usually planned out, but it does happen. It is possible and can be done safely and with ease by:

• Creating an optimal moving plan
• Paying attention to the new house/apartment surroundings
• Proper posture
• Body mechanics
• Getting plenty of help

Moderate physical activity for most expectant moms is encouraged for a healthy pregnancy. The CDC warns that bending too much while pregnant could lead to complications. However, moving boxes is not all there is to do. There are plenty of things like cleaning, organizing, packing, showing where to put the boxes, getting food and refreshments, etc.

Moving during pregnancy

Moving is exciting and stressful at the same time. Questions start to come up like bending, lifting, and wearing a back brace. Here are some tips during your move.  

Talk to a doctor

Your doctor or chiropractor should know about the upcoming move giving them an opportunity to help and provide safety tips. If it is during the first trimester it could be stressful for the pregnancy if not careful. Moving during the first three months could cause preterm labor with other possible complications. This does not mean to not move just to make a plan with your doctor for keeping the stress low and avoiding the risk for potential issues.

Questions to ask:

• What can I lift while pregnant?
• Is there a specific bending technique?
• Is lifting during the first trimester safe?
• How long should I be on my feet during the move?
• Is it safe to go up and down stairs consistently?

Brain fog and planning ahead

This is also known as baby brain or pregnancy brain and is the cognitive slowdown and memory issues that many pregnant women report. If there are issues with general cognitive functioning, fatigue, or other brain fog symptoms, careful planning can help.

Help for pregnancy brain fog:

• Create detailed lists and save them to your phone or location where they won’t get lost.
• Sleep a lot more as being tired will worsen symptoms.
• During the move take frequent breaks.
• Eat foods with Omega-3, these benefit brain function, and the baby’s development.

Packing fun

Packing the right way can mean all the difference between a smooth move and a chaotic one. It is recommended to allow for a week longer than anticipated for packing. Declutter a month before packing. Then donate, sell, and give away whatever is not needed to lighten the load. Create a moving day kit with a change of clothes, snacks, water, vitamins, a cooling pack, and anything else that a pregnant woman will need. Having fun during the packing process can be accomplished by turning the tasks into a game or some type of fun activity. Working/dancing with fun music can ease the monotony, keeps the joints loose, proper blood circulation is achieved and the stress is worked out. Light aerobic dancing has shown to decrease the risk of disorders while pregnant, and the recovery time after giving birth.  

Get plenty of help

Nobody wants to help family, friends move. Therefore throw a party or some event where everyone will be of the mindset that it was worth helping out. More help is needed during pregnancy because of the added rest times and minimal heavy lifting. If there is not enough help, an investment in professional movers could be necessary. Prices vary depending on where someone lives and the companies available. However, with some research, it can be money well spent while pregnant.

Safety checklist

Create a safety checklist that includes:

• Regular water breaks – hydration is extremely important while pregnant, especially if prone to morning sickness. Dehydration symptoms can include:

• Dry mouth
• Chapped lips
• Dizziness
• Braxton Hicks contractions

• Precautions when walking up and down the stairs.
• Frequent work breaks every half hour.
• Stress relief methods/techniques
• First aid kit
• Moving can create more sweating than normal, therefore keep ice and electrolyte drinks close by.
• Leave the packing of products with harmful chemicals like cleaning products, paint thinners, or ammonia to a helper.

Lifting and bending

It is highly recommended to not lift furniture or other heavy items while pregnant. Lifting a heavy object can contribute to:

• Premature birth
• Low birth weight
• Preeclampsia
• Hernia

Doctors generally recommend twenty-five pounds as the threshold during pregnancy. However, it depends on the trimester and what the individual is already used to lifting. An example is a woman lifting something heavy in the third trimester is different than when they were only five weeks. Proper lifting techniques need to be implemented like bending the knees not the back, keep the back straight while doing so, and avoid quick jerking movements.

Proper moving attire

On moving day, wear lightweight, breathable, stretchy clothing, so discomfort and malfunction won’t pop up. Cotton stays cool and free of sweat or itchiness. When pregnant the center of balance shifts, therefore, the right shoes are a must. Here are some shoes that can help during pregnancy.

Don’t rush the nursery

Getting the nursery finished for the baby, creates added pressure. Pretty much all newborns sleep in the same room with their parents, and the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends this for the first months. So cut yourself some slack when it comes to the perfect baby nursery. The baby is not going to hold it against you and there is time after the move to settle in.

Proper rest

This is a stressful time that requires a lot of energy. But just like proper hydration is important, so is plenty of sleep and embrace the positive aspects rather than focus on the complications. Talk to your doctor, enlist plenty of help, drink lots of water, and leave the heavy lifting to those that are not pregnant. At the end of the day, it will all be worth it.

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Dr. Alex Jimenez’s Blog Post Disclaimer

The scope of our information is limited to chiropractic, musculoskeletal, physical medicines, wellness, and sensitive health issues and/or functional medicine articles, topics, and discussions. We use functional health & wellness protocols to treat and support care for injuries or disorders of the musculoskeletal system. Our posts, topics, subjects, and insights cover clinical matters, issues, and topics that relate and support directly or indirectly our clinical scope of practice.* Our office has made a reasonable attempt to provide supportive citations and has identified the relevant research study or studies supporting our posts. We also make copies of supporting research studies available to the board and or the public upon request. We understand that we cover matters that require an additional explanation as to how it may assist in a particular care plan or treatment protocol; therefore, to further discuss the subject matter above, please feel free to ask Dr. Alex Jimenez or contact us at 915-850-0900. The provider(s) Licensed in Texas& New Mexico*