Nesting during pregnancy

What is nesting?

Nesting during pregnancy is the act of preparing your home (your "nest") for your baby's arrival, often fueled by bursts of energy and a strong desire to clean, organize, and make sure everything is in order. It's a biological urge shared by humans and other mammals, like birds and dogs, and it's driven by an innate desire to prepare and protect.

Nesting isn't a medical condition, and it's not something your healthcare provider will diagnose you with during your prenatal visits. And while not much research has been done on this common instinct, one study found that pregnant women spent more time cleaning and organizing their home than women who weren't pregnant. The same study also found that moms-to-be were more selective about the company they kept and preferred sticking close to home – both protective, "nestlike" behaviors.

When does nesting start?

Nesting can start as early as when you're around 24 weeks pregnant, but it usually peaks in the third trimester – a few weeks prior to your baby's arrival. Because these bursts of energy tend to happen late in pregnancy, many women believe nesting is a sign of labor.

There's no good or medically-backed evidence that proves nesting is directly linked to labor, especially because some moms-to-be do start nesting months before their due date. (These early signs of labor are better indicators that you might be having your baby soon.)

The perceived connection that nesting is a sign of labor usually has more to do with individual psychology: The burst of energy and activity toward the end happens because you're trying to get everything ready before the baby comes, not because it's a signal that labor is going to start.

How will I know if I'm nesting?

How you "nest" may be different than other moms-to-be, but nesting typically involves making physical preparations for parenthood. You may find yourself deep-cleaning the nursery, setting up baby gear (or project managing your partner's crib-building), or doing loads of laundry and reorganizing drawers of baby clothes for the third time in a week.

If you feel like you're nesting, you probably are. Are you getting your home in order, being choosier about who you spend time with, or thinking about a baby’s impact on your professional life? Some moms-to-be may find themselves getting really into the physical aspects of nesting, but for others, it's more about the impending change of identity.

You may never feel the nesting instinct at all, and that's normal. Some people have the urge, some don't. In a poll of BabyCenter moms, 73 percent said they nested during pregnancy.

Whether you're struck by the nesting instinct or not is no indication of the health of your pregnancy. Some moms can't nest because of physical restrictions, like being on bed rest during pregnancy. And others who have undergone infertility treatment, had a previous miscarriage or stillbirth, or are adoptive parents may nest more cautiously or not at all.

Don't spend time worrying about why you may or may not be nesting – there's plenty of other things to do on your third trimester checklist!

Will my partner nest too?

Your partner won't have the biological instinct to nest, but they make take part. No research has linked partners to nesting, but anecdotally, many seem to get swept up in preparations. Your partner may even launch some of their own projects, whether that's taking the lead on setting up a safe nursery or prepping batch-after-batch of casseroles to store for later.

Anthropological research found that in the nineteenth century nesting was considered a behavioral pattern performed by the male in the relationship, and the "nest" was the physical house. The act of nesting became more of a female-driven instinct in the twentieth century.

What to do while nesting during pregnancy

Nesting can be productive, as this is likely the last opportunity before your baby arrives to tackle household projects. (You're probably not going to have the time, energy, or motivation to clean out and polish the refrigerator once your baby has arrived.) And nesting isn't just about meal-prepping and scrubbing the floors: It can also include emotional preparation for parenthood as you get ready to bond with your newborn.

Here are a few common around-the-house projects and chores that you might handle while nesting. Remember that you're probably exhausted in the third trimester, for myriad of mental and physical reasons, so always make sure you're not overdoing it.

• Prep freezer meals to have handy after your baby arrives.
• Order everything on your third trimester shopping checklist.
• Shop for any baby clothes or must-have baby products you're missing.
• Remove tags, wash baby clothes, and put them away in the nursery. 
• Actually, while you're at it, do all of the laundry.
• Clean the house.
• Stock your pantry and refrigerator.
• Pack your hospital bag and finish your birth plan, if you haven't already.
• Get a head start on planning your baby's birth announcement.

What to avoid while nesting during pregnancy

Nesting itself isn't harmful. But, as with any activity during pregnancy, be careful and avoid the following activities:

• Don't overexert yourself trying to carry heavy objects.
• Don't climb tall ladders to hang pictures or clean hard-to-reach dusty spots.
• If you're painting or cleaning, make sure the room is well ventilated and the products you're using are safe and free of chemicals that could harm your baby.
• You might be filled with energy, but overexertion and exhaustion are valid risks. Be sure to take regular breaks and drink plenty of water.
• Let go of perfection. It’s easy to become overwhelmed by the sheer number of choices you have to make and thinking that everything has to be just so before the baby comes. Trust your instincts, and remember that all your baby really needs is you.
• Look for signs of anxiety during pregnancy, which is common. But if your nesting becomes obsessive – you're losing sleep worrying about the "perfect" crib mattress, for example – consider talking to your healthcare provider.