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AIBU?

To move house one week after giving birth?

70 replies

chellem1 · 02/06/2016 15:27

We accepted an offer on our house back in February and thought we would have moved well before now. The buyer has dragged his feet, it's all of a sudden June and we arranged completion date for one week before my due date as we were very eager to be in the new house with the new baby. Found out this week that I'm going to be induced two weeks early, in just over a week's time. I was induced for my DD as well, and had her on the second day, followed by a 2-night stay (if that has any bearing).

We're moving about 60 miles away. We're paying for movers to come in and pack everything up for us, and DD will be at nursery that day.

Is this totally crazy? Has anyone got experience/tips? Should I be doing anything now, the week before I go in? Thanks!

OP posts:

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OMGBabyNo3 · 02/06/2016 15:33

Gosh. That sounds tough! At least it's not your first though so not like you're in the dark about giving birth etc! My only suggestions would be make sure you have a bag packed for yourself and baby that will take you through first few days in the house. Also have a clearly labelled box of nappies/clothes/wipes for babies room. Do an online shop one next few days of basics to be delivered on moving afternoon/evening to new house. Talk through the changes with your other child as it's probably going to be quite an unsettling time for them too? Take all the help you can get and good luck!!!

HackerFucker22 · 02/06/2016 15:35

Depends on so many factors to be honest? I mean you have to think about worse case scenarios here (c-section for example)

How was your recovery first time? I felt like crap for weeks after DC1 and with DC2 I personally wouldn't have been fit to move a week after giving birth I did it at 30w pregnant instead

Should be doable if induction goes to plan and as long as you are getting the movers to do everything I guess?

Can you not postpone a few more weeks just to be on safe side?

Keithyoustink · 02/06/2016 15:38

I did this 3 weeks after DD was born and it was quite stressful. I would recommend going elsewhere for a couple of days and leaving DP to sort out the move - can you stay at your mum's? Go back when the basics are sorted - beds up and made, kitchen basics unpacked etc. My other tip is anything that is essential and you can't do without, pack yourself, label and put in your own car. Movers are great at packing but mine didn't label so I ended up going through several boxes of kitchen stuff to find essentials.

MinnowAndTheBear · 02/06/2016 15:41

Does the removal company unpack for you as well? Or could you pay extra for them to do it?

chellem1 · 02/06/2016 15:43

Thanks for the tips! Caesarean would probably be worst case scenario as I wouldn't even be able to drive my own car to the new house. Trying not to think too much about that.

I'll be packing a suitcase for a few days just in case... I'd rather have certain things to hand so I think our cars will probably be loaded up as well as the moving van. Just trying to pre-empt now.

Good idea on the online food shop, I think I will do that.

I was fine after they released freed me from hospital last time, although did hit a bit of a wall day 5 when my milk came in and she couldn't latch, along with a hormone crash. Will hopefully be a bit more self-aware this time.

We can't really postpone - it's taken so bloody long to get to this point that were afraid to rock the boat.

OP posts:

chellem1 · 02/06/2016 15:44

No, they don't unpack but my dh won't stand being surrounded by boxes so he'll get that in hand.

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chellem1 · 02/06/2016 15:45

Can't stay at my mum's, no space, but she is coming over to clean the old house while the movers are here, so she is helping! Those that did it soon after birth - did you feel like you were just in the way?

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Qwebec · 02/06/2016 15:46

I would say take care of nothing. Delegate as much as possible, packers and mover obviously. When we moved friends helped by unpacking many boxes. Maybe you could find some friends/relatives/hire someone to do this. It means everything will be out and ready and later on you can change where you would like things to be. It made a massive difference.

pinkpanda101 · 02/06/2016 15:47

Make sure your midwife/health visitor team is clued up on this and makes the right arrangements for home visits once you've moved! Might be tricky if you're moving county?

And YY to paying for unpacking, or anything else which makes the job easier for you. Maybe pack a duvet in your car too so you can just curl up in a sofa with baby while the moving is being done around you

Loafingaround · 02/06/2016 15:48

OP we moved house earlier this year, we were in for around 10 days before baby arrived early. Mayhem/stressful for 1st few weeks when house is a tip/stuff still in boxes/nothing you want where you want but ti soon calms down.bit by bit we got there and living in a lovely, bigger house on mat leave is a joy.

Qwebec · 02/06/2016 15:48

x post.

pinkpanda101 · 02/06/2016 15:48

Make sure your midwife/health visitor team is clued up on this and makes the right arrangements for home visits once you've moved! Might be tricky if you're moving county?

And YY to paying for unpacking, or anything else which makes the job easier for you. Maybe pack a duvet in your car too so you can just curl up in a sofa with baby while the moving is being done around you

Keithyoustink · 02/06/2016 15:54

I found being in the house quite difficult - I was trying to bf and there seemed to be strange men everywhere. Unfortunately DD picked up on my stress and wouldn't settle so I couldn't do anything useful anyway. We survived and it is obviously all doable but I would look at your other options.

chellem1 · 02/06/2016 15:56

Nice idea on the duvet, and glad to hear a positive story too! Really looking forward to spending time in the garden on maternity leave (if summer ever arrives).

Yes, we'll be moving county. I thought I'd just call the local gp the next day... But you're making me think I should contact my current midwives here and give them a heads up.

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chellem1 · 02/06/2016 15:57

I might bugger off to my car to feed if I'm in the way. Planning to bf.

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twolittleboysonetiredmum · 02/06/2016 16:01

We moved when dc3 was 2.5 weeks old, 1 week before xmas. She was then hospitalised the day before we moved for a week. It was pretty mental th be honest. I just had to focus on her so my poor husband did everything. My parents were meant th help but decided not to - I still don't know why! So DH unpacked and packed on his own, bigger kids in nursery. He nearly had a mental breakdown but we survived. It can be done but it's hard work.

WotFisticuffs · 02/06/2016 16:07

I moved home in February 3 weeks after having twins! (New build that we were supposed to be in around Dec, but was pushed forward to Feb) To be honest, it was quite stressful and I only done little things. I left the majority of the work to my husband and friends.

On the other hand, looking back, it was easier with newborns than I imagine it would be now with 4 month olds demanding attention all the time!

I wouldn't recommend what we done and leave everything to the last minute. I don't know what we were thinking. Probably hoping a fairy godmother would appear and everything would be sorted!

PiggyPlumPie · 02/06/2016 16:11

DD1 was born Weds and we moved on the Saturday! It was just down the road and DH and some pals moved all the stuff. As soon as the sofa was in I walked round with baby and sat on my arse all day watching. I left it all to DH.

Stardust160 · 02/06/2016 16:16

Its depends how you recover, with my first I tore and was uncomfortable for about a week. My second it was a natural birth and i was surprised how fit no recovery needed. I felt it with my third though. I had an epidural he was also back to back and he was a big baby I was sore for over two-three weeks. Only you will know how you feel. I would pack as much as you can. Get plenty of helpers and make sure you don't do any heavy lifting

chellem1 · 02/06/2016 16:20

Twins, wot! However this goes, it could be twice as hard! And yes to the fairy godmother!

I did tear badly the first time and had 2.5 hours of surgery putting my tattered tata back together again, so hoping that won't happen again. Won't be lifting anything.

I think I'll just empty half my hospital bag into a suitcase when I get back from the hospital!

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UnderTheGreenwoodTree · 02/06/2016 16:21

It's tough, OP - but my mum did it (totally unplanned) with my little sis. She was born 3 weeks early - and the house move date was already set in stone. She moved with a 5-day old baby And us older ones too.

I think it was just chaos, and she got through it.

SchnooSchnoo · 02/06/2016 16:25

If you think your dp can handle it and not expect any help from you then it will be fine. A perfect excuse to sit on your arse and not help with moving!

It doesn't sound like you have much choice, so you'll just have to get through it. Good luck

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chellem1 · 02/06/2016 18:53

I'm bracing for chaos and probably tears etc.

Just mentioned unpacking to dh and he "thinks he can do it in a day". Ok then.

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fakenamefornow · 02/06/2016 19:03

I think it'll be ok. You can hide behind the baby and use them as an excuse for not doing anything :) Also I'm guessing your DH will have more time off work for paternity leave so can sort the house out.

Some friends of mine moved from Japan to Spain with a three week old :0 Neither of them spoke Spanish as well.

ALongTimeComing · 02/06/2016 22:38

Personally I would check myself and the baby in to a hotel. With snacks, box sets, breastfeeding pillow, bottles of water and have meals possibly delivered.

Please also keep in mind that you may also be still in hospital for various reasons.

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