You’ve known your best friend nearly your whole life, and coincidently, your paths seemed to have always aligned. You attended the same university, got your driving licences in the same month, and even got engaged in the same year!

And lo and behold, 6 months after she announced her pregnancy, you found out you were pregnant too!

Being close to someone at a later stage in their pregnancy than you has been helpful. It’s allowed you to anticipate and prepare for what’s to come.

Yet, when your friend started nesting her home in preparation for her baby, you didn’t quite believe that you would get the same instinct as she did. You’ve never been a particularly tidy or organised person, and you simply couldn’t believe that your pregnancy would change that.

However, as your third trimester approached, those kitchen cupboards did start to look quite cluttered…

What is nesting?

Nesting is an instinctual act of preparing one’s home (i.e. the nest) for your baby’s arrival. During this time, expectant mothers tend to feel bursts of energy and a huge desire to organise, clean, and overall, ensure that everything is in order and where it should be.

This urge isn’t just about wanting a clean and tidy space. It’s a biological urge that humans and mammals share that is led by the desire to prepare for and protect their young.

Now that you know what nesting is, let’s move on to talking about when it might start for you.

When does nesting start?

Expectant mothers tend to start nesting in their third trimester, but you can feel this instinct as early as 24 weeks.

Although there is no medical evidence to suggest this is true, some women believe that nesting later on in pregnancy is a sign of labour. However, this is not accurate.

Having talked about when nesting might start for you, it’s time to outline how you will know if you’re nesting, and what you can do while nesting during your pregnancy.

How will I know if I’m nesting?

Generally speaking, everyone ‘nests’ differently. But if you feel like you’re nesting, then you probably are. Please note that it’s also normal to not feel the urge to nest. So don’t feel left out or strange if you don’t feel this desire at all.

Most expectant mothers who get the urge to nest find that they want to make physical preparations for parenthood. For example, deep-cleaning the nursery, doing huge loads of laundry, reorganising the cupboards in their house, or setting up baby gear.

Some might also find that they become more selective with who they spend their time with and start to think about their baby’s impact on their professional life.

What can I do while nesting during my pregnancy?

If you’re not a huge tidier or organiser by nature, then your urge to nest is a great excuse to be productive around the house! After all, once the baby arrives, you won’t have the time and energy to dedicate to this type of task in the same way.

Please note that nesting can also be about emotionally preparing for the arrival of your baby. So this is a good time to get ready to bond with your newborn.

Here are some things you can do while nesting:

Shop for any baby clothes you’re missing.

Order everything on your third-trimester shopping list.

Prep freezer meals to have on hand after your baby arrives.

Make sure your pantry and refrigerator are well stocked.

Clean the house.

Do the laundry.

Pack your hospital bag.

Start planning your baby’s birth announcement.

Finally, while nesting can be a productive time, we think it’s important to take you through what you should avoid while nesting.

What should I avoid while nesting during pregnancy?

Don’t climb tall ladders to hang pictures.

Don’t overexert yourself in an attempt to carry heavy objects.

Look for signs of anxiety during pregnancy.

Take regular breaks and drink plenty of water.

What is nesting?

Get ready for your baby's arrival with Unii.