What to Expect During the Nesting Phase of Pregnancy

Do you feel the urge to clean every room in the house? Have you suddenly started organizing and stocking up your kitchen cupboards? Are you consumed with planning and preparing?

Then you’ve reached the nesting phase of your pregnancy. Just like animals do, nesting is a natural part of pregnancy in anticipation of your baby’s arrival. Here’s what to expect during the nesting phase of your pregnancy.

What Is Nesting?

Nesting happens during pregnancy and usually involves cleaning, preparing, organizing and planning ready for the baby, while being more selective with social activities. It is often thought of as a sign that the baby will soon arrive.

This energetic surge is a productive time for mothers-to-be as they prepare their home and environment for life with a newborn. Nesting is not a medical condition but an instinct that many expectant mothers experience.

When Does Nesting Begin?

Nesting generally happens during the final weeks of pregnancy. There is research to suggest that this is because of estrogen hormones peaking in the third trimester of pregnancy. Not every parent will feel the nesting instinct, but either experience is completely normal.

What Characteristics Can I Expect From Nesting?

Nesting looks different for everyone but it has characteristics that all lead to the preparation of your baby.

Cleaning

Cleaning is a common nesting characteristic, even if cleaning isn’t usually your thing. While you might want to clean the house from top to bottom, don’t overexert yourself, climbing to reach behind the sofa, or lifting heavy objects.

Perhaps spend time cleaning just one room each day. Avoid using harsh cleaning chemicals, as babies’ immune systems are delicate. Be careful if you need to use ladders, however easy it is to get carried away with dusting the corners of the ceiling.

Planning

When nesting, planning can take over your day. Planning can look like everything from meal prep to the planning and preparation of the birth itself.

Stocking Up

You might find yourself buying all the baby paraphernalia you can think of, ready for bringing the baby home. Why not plan ahead on home supplies too, so you have less to worry about when looking after a newborn?

Organizing

Organizing everything for the baby is also a common feature of nesting, putting things into place, whether that’s organizing baby clothing or the food in the fridge.

Final Thoughts

Nesting looks different for every mother-to-be, and it’s a great way to keep busy during the final stages of pregnancy. If you’d like to learn more about the third trimester of pregnancy, contact Joy of Life® today.