Nesting During Pregnancy

You must have noticed how a pregnant cat restlessly wanders here and there in search of a safe place for her kittens. You must have also observed some pretty little bird pairs, rushing towards tree branches with some straws or cotton in their small beaks. As birds and animals experience a natural instinct for nesting during pregnancy, pregnant women may also develop such nesting instinct.

Nesting Instinct in Pregnant Women
Nesting instinct which women develop during pregnancy can be described as a pregnancy symptom, like food craving or morning sickness. You must have seen some pregnant women cleaning everything madly, even at odd hours during the night. The uncontrolled urge to clean the house during pregnancy is described as 'nesting instinct in women'. It is an expectant mother's biological or emotional instinct. When you are pregnant, your body knows more than you. Nesting being a primal instinct, you will go on doing all sorts of things which are necessary for preparing a good 'nest' for the coming baby. Most women don't even know that such kind of instinct or pregnancy symptom is listed under pregnancy symptoms in books. Pregnant women can go crazy rearranging the cupboards, cleaning the kitchen, cleaning the car, keeping the house neat and tidy. Here is a list of activities which pregnant women might perform as a part of nesting.

Nesting Activities that Pregnant Women May Perform
Nesting activity during pregnancy usually involves

• Cleaning the toilets, bathtubs
• Mopping the floor
• Scrubbing every nook and crevice in the floor
• Rearranging the furniture
• Throwing away unwanted things from closets
• Rearranging the wardrobes in a neat and tidy manner
• Cooking
• Cleaning out the kitchen cabinets
• Stocking the kitchen with food
• Preparing, decorating the baby nursery, color coding
• Washing and cleaning the car
• Ironing, reorganizing the cupboards
• Purchasing new clothes
• Packing and repacking the labor bag
• Discarding 'sheets and towels' and bringing in the new stock
• Washing, ironing, folding, sorting baby's clothes again and again
• Disinfecting the kitchen and other rooms

You can mark the difference by observing 'a normal woman' performing the above tasks and 'a pregnant woman' engaged in these tasks. A pregnant woman performs all such tasks more meticulously and persistently than usual.

Nesting Tips for Pregnant Women
Like mother hamsters, mama cats and expectant birds, human moms-to-be also show a powerful nesting instinct. Being wrapped up in the excitement of the arrival of their 'bundle of joy', they sometimes tend to do something which might hamper their health. For example, while pushing the heavy piano into the corner of the room, you can ask someone else to help you. Usually, for a pregnant woman, the nesting instinct sets in around the fifth month. Women are generally unable to quell the surge of energy. Here are some tips which might guide you about how to make use of that 'surge of energy' during pregnancy.

• Avoid painting baby's nursery. Perform the pregnancy exercises suggested by the doctor regularly.
• Check the safety of the chemicals while disinfecting the house. Do not breathe strong fumes.
• Wear rubber gloves when cleaning the kitty litter box (to avoid infection) or let someone else do it.
• Avoid contact with cat, dog feces, avoid yard work or gardening.
• Throw away outdated food and restock fresh food in your fridge. Follow a healthy pregnancy diet.
• Keep your clothes, sheets, towels ready.
• Address the envelopes for birth announcement and keep them ready.
• Make a list of 'whom to call'.
• Complete the formalities of registration in hospital in advance. Pre-registration will save your time when you arrive for delivery.
• Keep the local map ready. You won't be able to tell the way while going to the hospital.
• Check and pack your bag according to the list provided by the hospital.
• Arrange for a 'care taker' if you have older children at home.
• Buy and install the 'infant car seat'.
• Make a list of emergency contact numbers and check that you have your insurance card, a photo ID, credit card, ATM card, in your wallet.
• Arrange baby clothes, diapers, diaper rash ointment, etc. in a neat and tidy way. You will need them as soon as you bring home the baby.
• Restock your pantry with healthy food items like soups, nuts, whole-grain crackers and cereal, canned beans, fruits and vegetables, pasta, brown rice, sauces, etc.
• During last two-three weeks, cook in large quantity and store the food in the fridge. After returning from the hospital, you can just heat it in the microwave and eat homemade healthy food.

Nesting can be experienced a few weeks, or even a day, prior to the onset of labor. Nesting occurring close to 40 weeks of pregnancy can be a sign of onset of labor. Though nesting is considered as an instinct that makes you prepare for welcoming your baby in this world, it is quite possible that some women may not experience this instinct. This sign should not be misinterpreted as a sign of 'good' or 'bad' mother. Moreover, some 'would-be-fathers' may also feel the urge to clean and organize! They might start looking for a new job, they might clean the garden, car and garage. If the aforementioned tips are being followed by the mother-to-be and the mother is enjoying the activities, nesting is quite safe for the mother and the baby.