As a pregnant woman, if you wake up one day and think about cleaning the house, tidying up your wardrobe, repackaging your hospital bag, arranging baby clothes in your baby's newly purchased closet, and so on, it could be because of the pregnancy nesting.

Nesting during pregnancy is basically a way to prepare your home for the baby to arrive. This sweet motherly phenomenon may make the expectant mother suspicious of every aspect of the home and think about whether it is good or bad for the baby. This instinct usually occurs in the third trimester, a few weeks before the due date. Please read on to see what is nesting in pregnancy.

 

What is Nesting During Pregnancy?

Nesting is an act or process of preparing your home to welcome a new baby. This is a common biological trait associated with a sudden burst of energy in late pregnancy. This includes physical preparation for motherhood, such as disinfecting the house, cleaning the entire house, buying baby items, doing laundry, etc. You may even start your emotional preparation by spending more time connecting with your partner and the baby by talking to them.

In 2013, McMaster University in Canada researchers examined nesting during pregnancy in expectant mothers. They found that the behavior was more active in the third trimester. During this time, women spent more time cleaning, organizing, and preparing their homes for their babies to arrive. Experts state that nesting is not an inherent activity and provides a safe environment for mother-child bond development.

 

Who Experiences Pregnancy Nesting?

Not all pregnant mothers go through the nesting period. In fact, one survey found that three-quarters of pregnant women go through the nesting process, while the rest do not experience nesting when pregnant. It should be noted that nesting does not indicate the health of the pregnant woman in any way.

 

When does an Expectant Mother start Nesting during Pregnancy?

In many cases, the nesting instinct can affect a pregnant woman from the second trimester of pregnancy. This is because a woman's energy level is high at that stage, and she may suddenly see that all this energy has been directed towards cleaning her house.

However, pregnancy nesting is more evident in a woman close to the last weeks of her pregnancy. Adrenaline levels are high during this time, and a woman usually copes with this problem by improving her living conditions. It is even said that when a woman nervously starts cleaning her house in the third trimester, it can be a sign that she is about to give birth.

 

Signs of Nesting during Pregnancy

Nesting has no apparent symptoms because it is a mere psychological phenomenon. Every pregnant woman who nests may show different behaviors. Here are some common signs that show you are nesting in pregnancy:

• You tend to wash your baby's clothes and belongings several times a day, tidy up and clean the rooms, and you may want to do this over and over again.
• You like to spend more time with your family and friends.
• You feel like staying close to your home.
• You insist on cleaning every part of the house.
• You repeatedly check for your child's belongings.

These behaviors can occur at any time, from a few days to a few months before delivery.

 

Is Nesting in Pregnancy a sign of Approaching Labor?

Prenatal nesting is not a sign of the onset of labor because it does not mean that the baby will be born soon. There are women who are affected by pregnancy nesting from the 5th month of pregnancy; on the other hand, some others are not affected until the 39th week. Also, some women may not find the instinct to nest at all. This has nothing to do with childbirth because it is just a psychological condition.

Doctors say the energy explosion in mothers occurs due to their efforts to regulate everyone and make them ready for the newcomer. 

 

How long does Pregnancy Nesting Instinct Last?

In most cases, the nesting instinct diminishes after the arrival of the newborn. Although the mother was insane during pregnancy, nesting disappears completely after childbirth.

This is because parents spend most of their time with the baby after they are born and therefore do not have the mood for other activities. It also means that they do not have enough time for regular housework, so they may not have a sudden desire to clean the house like before. Due to this lack of energy, time, and motivation in the mother, the instinct of nesting after childbirth decreases significantly.

 

Does Nesting Occur again in Each Pregnancy?

Suppose you have a pregnancy nesting instinct for your first baby. In that case, you are more likely to experience it in later pregnancies. Nesting is more detectable during the first time, but mothers preparing for the arrival of a second child are more adapted to that.

However, it is worth mentioning that nesting is usually mild in subsequent pregnancies. You may find yourself repeating previous activities to satisfy your cravings. The second time, you may take out old baby clothes and install a toddler seat in the car.

 

Do Fathers-to-be also Nest?

Nesting is not common in men, but you may find your mate cleaning the house. This is not due to biological conditions, and they are only helping you be more comfortable with the instinct. Fathers only understand pregnancy on paper until the baby is born, so it is difficult for them to feel what you are feeling.

 

Is Nesting in Pregnancy Harmful?

Nesting during pregnancy is not harmful at all, but the activities you do as a result may be harmful to you. When organizing and cleaning the house for your baby to come, avoid the following:

• If you want to paint or clean with chemicals, make sure the place is always well ventilated.
• Do not climb a ladder for any reason, whether for painting the entire wall or for hanging a painting on the wall.
• Do not overwork. Stay hydrated and get regular rest.
• If you feel anxious and lose sleep due to minor issues, talk to your doctor about these problems.

 

Conclusion

Birds do it, animals do it, too, and it is not surprising that humans do the same. Pregnancy nesting is a characteristic that causes you to suddenly become obsessed with cleaning, organizing, and storing to prepare the house for the baby's arrival. This instinct of pregnant women is not unusual.

Nesting in pregnancy is beneficial in most ways because it gives you the energy and motivation to make last-minute arrangements to welcome your child into the world. However, if you feel that everything is out of control with great excitement, see your doctor.