Are you quilting it on a frame? Honestly, I don't think it would require any unusual handling. Just make sure it stays square to the frame as you roll. And don't stretch the backing too tight; you don't want it to spring back when you take it off the frame. (That is assuming you are using side tensioners on the backing.)
If necessary, you can use a little basting spray underneath the quilt top to keep it parts of it flat to the batting. It is easier to do this if you float the top because you can get all the way across the portion you are quilting. However, I have used it on rolled tops along the edges to help keep them in place.
The batting you use will control the amount of shrinkage when the quilt is washed. Polyester batting would provide the least amount of shrinkage. With cotton batting you can expect up to 5% shrinkage when the quilt is washed. (This is assuming quilting lines are no more than 3" or 4" apart at most. Close quilting locks the top and backing to the batting, which is much stronger than the other two layers.) As long as the amount of quilting is even across the quilt, the quilt should shrink evenly.
I would probably pin the sides.
Also, once the quilt is loaded and the side tensioners are on (and, if the top is floated, the top is secured to a rail), I would probably mist the quilt top several times with spray starch, letting the starch dry in-between mistings. A hair dryer speeds the drying process. Even that small amount of starch will help stabilize the top while you quilt. The backing should be sufficiently stabilized by the side tensioners.
Hope all this is clearer than mud!
Edit: Sharon Schamber has a Youtube video showing how she spray starches her backings when loading a quilt. I would consider doing this as well. Here is a link to her video (starching starts about 3 minutes in):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AlZxLvwOvrE