I had just learned I was pregnant with twins when my husband was laid off. After months of stressful job hunting, he was offered an amazing opportunity. The only hitch – we lived in Utah and the job was in Massachusetts. We decided to pack up and move while pregnant, thousands of miles away. We had moved several times and even that hadn’t fully prepared me for the special challenges of moving across the country during pregnancy. Along the way, however, I learned a few tips that made it manageable.
- Research Online – We had never lived in Massachusetts and had no idea which areas would fit our lifestyle and budget. We began our search based on the location of my husband’s new job and limited it by how far he was willing to commute.
- Visit in Person, But Know When to Stay Home – We booked a weekend trip to scout out housing options. In person, we were quickly able to determine which communities we loved and narrow our focus. We managed to find a home we loved, made an offer, and had it accepted in one weekend. When the time came for the closing, rather than flying again, I filed paperwork allowing my husband limited power of attorney to fill out all the closing paperwork on my behalf.
- Talk With Your Doctor – Have a candid conversation with your doctor about your limitations. Adhere closely to any lifting limits. I despise feeling useless and after talking with my obstetrician, determined I would pack boxes but not move them.
- Give Yourself Extra Time – Packing while pregnant wore me out far faster than I anticipated. The one time I forgot to bring my water bottle in with me to pack, I started having mild contractions after 30 minutes. Luckily, after drinking some water and resting for the afternoon, the contractions stopped.
- Enlist As Much Help As Possible – If you have the budget, outsource every step you can. Due to the lifting limits imposed by my doctor, I couldn’t carry a single box. We weren’t able to hire help for everything, so only hire help for the most laborious tasks.
Moving across the country while six months pregnant with twins was not easy. Given the choice, however, I would still choose to move while pregnant rather than with newborn twins. Once I talked with my doctor and set realistic expectations, I was able to be gentle with myself while also feeling productive and helpful.
By ALI SMITH-POE, MOM TO TWINS
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