Nesting during late pregnancy seems to be this fanatical symptom us pregnant mothers have, and our medical society has to declare it to us. Yet there’s no biological explanation that can be distinctly pointed to what causes it.
Nesting During Late Pregnancy
In the last few weeks before your baby is born, aside from the clear signs that your baby’s arrival is near, everyone seems to talk about the ‘nesting’ feelings and urges you’ll have. One mother has told you they had to scrub the house top to bottom in order to stay sane.
Another maybe had a weird urge to make every single aspect of the baby’s nursery perfect. I was kind of the same way with my first baby. I organized all the stuff for his room until it was PERFECT.
Even animals out in nature go through similar habits of preparation: birds and rabbits expanding their nests and maybe even building a new one, other mammals grooming themselves completely before their babies come.
You may find that you have this surge of energy a few weeks before you go into labor and you become determined to do SOMETHING associated with preparation for your baby to come home. You can even prepare your home for the baby’s arrival over and over again and never be satisfied with the results.
Is It A Legitimate Symptom?
We as women have innate habits, desires and abilities, and most of them center around nurturing and caring for our children and families. OF COURSE, we’re going to spend all the extra time getting things ready. It’s wired right into our DNA.
Especially if this is your first baby, you’re going to have gifts and clothes and diapers and blankets and burp cloths and furniture and STUFF that needs to be put away-because you don’t want to be scrambling for all of those things at 2 am when the baby is screaming for attention.
You likely don’t want to end up at the hospital or birthing center without your hospital bags, because honestly, you don’t trust your husband to get the right stuff for you if you had to send him back for it. 
(Should you even pack a hospital bag?)
But in all seriousness, nesting isn’t something that is a direct result of say a hormone fluctuation, at least as far as we can tell. But does that really matter anyway?
It’s certainly the strongest first time around. But a few years later when you’re bringing home the next bundle of joy, did you find that you spend the same amount of time preparing just as much? (How your pregnancies and births aren’t the same no matter what.)
I have a new baby coming in about a month. Maybe I haven’t hit my ‘nesting stride’ yet. But I don’t feel like I need to do anything. I’ve already got everything I need. I’m just mentally planning on pulling out the cradle, washing the newborn clothes and my cloth diapers, and buying some teeny tiny disposables. I wouldn’t call that ‘nesting’, but just adding some things to my to do list.
It’s not dealing with some crazy symptoms-it’s just being smart.
Should You Be Worried?
Do you feel like scrubbing your kitchen floor on your hands and knees all day? Why not go ahead and get it out of your system. It’s great if you’re needing to turn your posterior baby.
Are you eager to cook pre-made freezer meals to last you a month, all on a single Saturday? You’ll be glad you did, but I know you’ll survive without it too.
Don’t feel like making such an effort? No problem. Just make sure your exercising is in for the day, you’ve practiced your relaxation techniques, completed your birthing course, and you won’t be any less prepared than the mom next door that seems to have every aspect of her life cemented in place for the baby.
Still Need A Birthing Course? You’ve Got Time With These Two
Do what feels good for you and don’t compare, just live and laugh. Anything funny you want to share? I must have straightened the darn blankets and burp cloths a hundred times myself.
Omg! This is so cute!!! I love your site! I am mommy yet but I am shore I will follow your site when the time comes! I love the fact that you are standing for most natural solutions and it is so nice to see that there are aware and experienced ladies that are able to explain (especially to a new moms) what is going on with them! Thank you so much!
We all need to just help each other more instead of make everything a contest. We’re all in different circumstances and can all make a difference with our own unique experiences. If you ever need me to explain something or if you have any questions, Branka, please feel free to message me or comment anywhere. Have a great day!
If your baby is arriving late spring or into summer, you desire for nesting may be intensified. What Causes Nesting During Pregnancy?
It’s really just hormones and natural instinct factors we women deal with every day. Then toward the end of a pregnancy, those motives just peak in our desires to have things better prepared to make it easier on ourselves. Let me know if you have any other questions, Des. Thanks!
Hi Sarah, I just wanted to comment on your great post. I was laughing to myself while reading it because when I was pregnant with my first child, I was over the top..I even got on my hands and knees in the bathroom with an old toothbrush, scrubbed a persian rug with my finger tips till they were raw…for some reason I never turned into a crazy woman with my second, LOL!! There must be some funny stories out there, thanks Sarah, you have brought back some memories
Gosh, I don’t think I’ve ever scrubbed anything with a toothbrush, pregnant or not. Thanks for the laugh!
This whole “nesting” thing makes total sense to me, seems like a pretty instinctual type of reaction surrounding the energy that comes with the excitement, and anticipation of a new little one coming home soon. Maybe it could also be considered going a bit stir crazy and excited for the actual birth.
You described your experience really well, I especially appreciate your closing words to do what feels good to you
I like that, being a bit stir crazy. I’m starting to feel it too, need to get all the baby stuff out and pack my bag, maybe even get some freezer meals going if I really feel up to it. Thanks Jess!
Hi Sarah,
My wife gave birth twice naturally. She did not even consider the alternative. I was by her side both times. She showed how tough, strong and determined she really was! What an incredible and amazing experience!
I don’t particularly remember any unusual nesting that occurred beforehand, probably just the normal routine of making sure we were all prepared. We both very much wanted to be prepared.
Your site is such a wonderful resource for couples looking to learn more about natural childbirth! Wishing you great success!
Tony
That’s wonderful to hear, Tony. It seems to natural childbirth gets more common everyday, which is an excellent thing! Thank you for your comment. Have a great weekend!
Hi there,
I really enjoyed your website. It has a ton of useful information. I will definitely be saving this to study on. I am thrilled to have found such an informative website on natural birth. I will also look into your recommendations further, they really do seem like the way to go.
I’m glad that you’ve found a lot of help already, Shelby. Please let me know if you have any questions at all. My #1 recommendation for learning how to relax and accept your birth experience is the Birth Relaxation Kit . It’s more than it sounds like: a full program tailored with you in mind on getting through every aspect of your birth, with even resources for birthing partners or significant others. Take a look and let me know if you have questions. Best!
Hello! I have had three children. I don’t know if I have ever had the nesting syndrome exactly. I remember reading about it and wondering if I had it. I definitely prepared for their arrivals but I don’t think I over prepared. I agree with you, if you have those urges best to do them and get them out of your system. Who wouldn’t want a month’s worth of meals prepared all ready. Or a clean house.
Exactly, whatever you do, it will still be useful, even if it does seem out of the ordinary. I read today about a gal that had the huge urge to repaint her entire house while 9 months pregnant! I guess whatever works, works.
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Thank you Sangeeth. I appreciate your comments, have a great weekend!