Moving During Pregnancy

Pregnancy Safety

Obie Editorial Team

Study on moving and pregnancy

There are many factors of a pregnant woman’s daily life that contribute to the wellbeing of her child. Obvious ones include diet, exercise, and sleep, but what about seemingly unrelated factors, such as moving? How can changing residence have any impact on an unborn child?

A new study finds that moving during the first trimester can lead to low birth weight. This study looked at birth certificate information from Washington State between 2007 and 2014.  Details such as age, race, marital status, income, and education were all accounted for. 

Sometimes moving isn’t a choice. If you anticipate having to change residence during your first trimester of pregnancy, consider talking to your healthcare provider to develop a plan to move.  

If you are thinking about moving while you are pregnant, you need to be aware of stresses and other certain strains that moving can place on your body during this time.

Hold off on heavy lifting

In addition to moving places, the same logic holds for moving furniture. You should not move furniture or do heavy lifting during your pregnancy. Your body is going through so much at this time. The last thing you need is a strained back or neck!

The problem with moving furniture while you are pregnant is that it places extra strain on already stressed muscles of your back and pelvis. Most people do not know how to move furniture safely, even when they are not pregnant. While you are supposed to lift the weight of the furniture with your legs, many people lift heavy objects using their back and neck muscles. This causes muscles strain. As your body is already under strain from the pregnancy, you can cause yourself some serious pain and discomfort trying to move furniture during this time. 

If you absolutely must move furniture during your pregnancy, talk with your doctor first about the weight of the furniture to make sure that you are not placing your pregnancy at risk. Never, ever, move furniture in a position that you are not comfortable in or in a position that will cause you to fall and harm yourself and your baby.  Try to use techniques to minimize your work such as ‘walking’ the furniture to its new position, or using cloth positioners under the furniture so you can slide it along the floor.

The best choice to make if you need to move furniture while you are pregnant is to ask for help. Talk with family, friends, neighbors, roommates, or even coworkers to see if someone can help you. If you still need help with moving furniture, hire someone to help you with the work. Play it safe, and do not take any unnecessary risks during this time.