Advice Needed on Relocating Before or After Birth

I would suggest waiting till after. If you move before you will have to find a new OB that is taking patients so late in pregnancy and they wont know any of your history. Not to mentiont he stress moving puts on pregnancy (trust me we just moved from Irving to Carrollton when I was 8 months pregnant with my second and it was hell so I cant imagine moving states).

i would be quick to offer advice to move after the baby is born -- if i hadn't the unexpected experience of delivering prematurely away from home. having had that experience - though i hate to say it, it might be worth your considering - it can be very tough on you and your growing family if something unexpected happens and you or your baby requires lengthy medical attention. transferring all the medical history of an uncomplicated, normal pregnancy is *NOTHING* compared to the medical records mess required for continuing care of a newborn baby requiring it. additionally, if you are already where your family will need to be, then you can avoid the heartbreaking split as your husband reports to his job in portland, leaving his hurting family behind. though an additional consideration is other family support. the pain of my husband having to go back home was allieviated *somewhat* by the fact that both his parents and mine all lived nearby the hospital where my son was staying.
just something to consider...though not likely realized of course!! ;)

I've moved 6 times, the first two moves I was pregnant. If you have family or some other support in Dallas, I'd wait until after the baby is born to make the grand move. If not, then it isn't going to make that much difference. I just hope you have a helpful hubby. You are going to need it.

Will you have a support system in Portland? If you do then I think it would be okay, but if you don't know anyone I would probably wait. Also, how bad are the winters for travel? Is it better to be making that drive sooner? Might do a little investigating, but I bet you already have a gut feeling on what you want to do, so go with it.

I have moved twice while pregnant, once from the UK to Alaska, and then again from Alaska to New Mexico. The first move was easier because I was only 3 months along, and of course we flew. The second time we had two kids already and decided to drive. I was 8 months along. The actual trip wasn't too bad, but we had a hard time finding a place to live once we got here. We finally moved into a rental a month before the baby came. I was happy with the way it went, and had tremendous support from my husband who pretty much took over the unpacking and setting up. We got the kids rooms and the baby's room done first, followed by our room, then the living areas. I had no problems changing doctors or anything, they were actually very nice to me when they found out I was new in town. The nurse that delivered my son went to the trouble of going out and buying some English chocolate for me (I'm from the UK). I wouldn't do it any differently. Whatever you decide, I wish you luck!

I would suggest moving before the baby is born. It would be better to get settled into a place before the cold sets in. The real cold that is. I was born in Oregon and have relatives that live in the Portland area. It can get very cold up there! And in December there can be snow and ice.

Good luck and God bless you in what ever choice you make!

You've gotten some great advice but I just wanted to offer a different point of view. I moved when I was 7 months pregnant with my daughter. I got a recommendation for an ob/gyn and made an appointment for immediately after I moved, just to establish contact in case anything went wrong. Moving before the birth wasn't ideal because of switching doctors, but it did have the advantages that I then had two months to set up the house, get the nursery in place, find the grocery stores, meet the neighbors, etc. all before having a newborn. Whatever you decide is going to be tough, but there are disadvantages and advantages to both. So I just suggest going with your gut and whatever is best for your family as a whole. Good luck!

My husband and I moved to our new home when I was 6 months pregnant. It was our first, so I didn't have any other kiddos to think about like you do. It might be easier on your 3yo to move and get her new room before the adjustment of the baby being home. I liked getting into our new home and going forward with setting up his room - and my husband did all the "hard labor" (no pun intented!) and I just supervised - that was great! I don't think I would have liked moving after the baby, just because of the way you feel after giving birth and not getting any sleep! I was, however, able to keep my OBGYN because we moved locally, so that is definitely something you're going to have to consider! Best wishes whatever you decide!

We moved my dd was 11 days old. We knew it was coming and didn't prepare her nursery in our old house. We hired movers to pack the breakables, but my mom and I (mostly my mom!) spent the last 2 weeks before I was due packing and getting the house ready. My mom also was able to come help unpack in our new house so I could just sit and take care of dd. It was definitely doable and I'm so glad I was able to deliver my baby with MY doctor, not a new doctor.

Hello M.!

We moved when my son was 3 weeks old. We waited until after he was born, and I am glad we did. Though I had to have someone watch my baby for most of the day, it was a lot easier than I thought. Since we knew we were moving afterwards, we didn't set up his crib or put any of his furniture together, just his bassinet, pack and play, and swing. I put all of his clothes in one box and rotated through as needed. My husband and I worked hard to get all we could get done before he came. And like the other poster said, it will be very difficult to find someone to take you in as a patient last minute. I would secure a place ahead of time, but don't move until afterwards. Even then, give it a few weeks so you can get your strength up.

We moved (here) when my daughter was about 8 weeks old and I'd have to agree that it seemed easier than having to switch OBs and move while pregnant. Also it was a lifesaver being close to friends and family in those first few weeks. I'd also check out getting the movers to help with or do all of the packing. We did and it was SO worth it, and not much more than hiring movers without the packing. We used midnight hour movers here and they were very good & fast! I also flew and carried the baby with me while my mom/dad & hubby drove our vehicles. Much better than driving for hours with a newborn.