Growing families often need to upsize to a larger home. It’s an exciting time and offers the opportunity to settle into a new place—but moving while pregnant isn’t always ideal. To have a safe and smooth relocation in any trimester, you’ll have to plan in advance, do your research on local movers in Chicago, and take care of yourself throughout the process. By following these tips, you can have a great moving experience and focus on settling into your new place instead of worrying about the logistics.
Beat moving stress by planning ahead
You have enough stress in your life planning for the new baby to arrive, and moving while pregnant can certainly add to that. However, if you give yourself plenty of time to prepare and pack for moving day, you’ll automatically de-stress the entire process.
Try to plan your move at least a couple of months in advance. This will give you time to research local moving companies, declutter your home, and start packing. Although it’s very possible to find last-minute movers, waiting until the eleventh hour to plan and coordinate your relocation can add a ton of stress that you just don’t need.
As you explore the different service options from Chicago moving companies, equip yourself with a helpful moving checklist to speed up your move, reduce your costs, and keep yourself on track.
Save money by exploring multiple options
Budget is always a factor when you move to a new home. If you’re moving while pregnant, you might have a smaller moving budget since you’re also setting aside funds to take care of the new baby. Here are a few options to consider when you need to tighten the belt and save money while moving:
- Get multiple moving estimates. Moving costs in Chicago tend to vary by season, time of month or week, and of course by moving company. Contact at least two or three local movers for estimates so you have a firm grasp on what costs to expect.
- Find inexpensive packing materials. Get creative with how you pack. Use items you already have like suitcases and duffle bags, save money by renting eco-friendly moving bins, and look for free moving boxes in your area.
- Rent your own moving truck. Depending on your home’s size and inventory, it might save a few dollars if rent a truck and handle the transportation of your belongings from your old place to your new home. You can hire a loading and unloading service to take care of the heavy lifting.
As long as you plan ahead, you’ll give yourself plenty of time to explore your options and de-stress your move even further by breaking the entire process into smaller, more manageable tasks.
Break the packing and moving project into smaller tasks
Just about any home relocation is a big—and sometimes overwhelming—process. Especially if you’re moving while pregnant, you’ll want to break it up into mini projects that are easier to handle.
For example, don’t leave the pack until the last minute. Either hire a professional packing service to take this off your plate entirely or pack up room by room. The more progress you make in the weeks leading up to your moving day, the better you’ll feel. Additionally, start chipping away at all of the moving-related tasks. Make time to change over your utility bills and subscription services, and if you’re moving out of state, give yourself time to research new doctors and schools in your new town.
Finally, let your friends and family lend a hand where they can. Invite them over to help you declutter, pack, and clean your old home before you move out.
Let your family and friends help
Moving while pregnant isn’t a chore you have to do on your own. Enlist the help of your friends and family to take some of the tasks and part of the burden off of you! Invite them over for a packing party, and see if they’re interested in taking any of the old clothing, furniture, or décor items you don’t want to bring to your new home.
You can even ask them to help you clean your old dwelling before you move out. Even if you’ve purchased pregnancy-safe cleaning products, you likely don’t want to get down on your hands and knees to wipe out cabinets or scrub the floor. Let your friends and family lend a hand and check these tasks off of your to-do list.
Take care of yourself on moving day
One of the most important things to keep in mind when moving while pregnant is to prioritize the health, safety, and comfort of you and your baby. Here are a few ways to take care of yourself:
- Talk to your doctor. Let your trusted healthcare professionals know that you’re moving, and find out how much you can safely lift and move. The less heavy stuff you schlep, the better.
- Pack an essentials box. You know the items you’ll want and need easy access to when you get to your new home. Pack them up and label the container as your “first night box” so you can quickly find and unpack them as soon as you arrive at your new house, condo, or apartment.
- Dress for success. On your actual moving day, wear comfortable, loose-fitting clothing and the comfiest shoes you own. The weather in Chicago can change quickly, so consider dressing in layers to account for the indoor and outdoor temperatures.
- Take lots of breaks. Give yourself time to sit for a few minutes whenever you need it throughout your moving day. Keep your favorite drinks and snacks on hand so you stay hydrated and nourished throughout the day.
Don’t forget to give yourself a pat on the back as well. Moving while pregnant isn’t easy, so let yourself celebrate conquering the challenge. And remember: when you work with the best movers in Chicago, you’ll have a stress-free—and even a fun—moving experience!
Moving while pregnant? Let us handle the heavy lifting!
You’ve got enough on your mind when you get ready for a new baby and prepare to move to a new home. Let us help you coordinate the logistics and take care of everything from the pack, truck load, transportation, and truck unload at your new home. We’ll make the entire process easy, even if you’re moving while pregnant.
Contact us today for a free estimate!