As you get further along in your pregnancy, chances are you will experience what is commonly referred to as the "nesting instinct." You may have watched a television show or two where a pregnant woman went into a household cleaning frenzy right before going into labor and that scenario isn't too far from the truth (for once Hollywood didn't over exaggerate!). There is a real, biological basis behind the urge to "nest".
What It Is
The nesting instinct simply refers to a mom-to-be's intense desire to put her home in order before the baby arrives. This could be anything from organizing the pantry to laundering all the curtains and rugs to putting a fresh coat of paint on the house. And even though you may have been exhausted in the weeks leading up to this last-minute cleaning urge, which usually occurs in the third trimester, you will find yourself enjoying a sudden burst of energy that fuels your psychological need to ensure that all is ready for baby's imminent arrival.
Why It Is
It just makes sense that the mom-to-be desires home projects get done before her new infant takes all her time and attention. But the nesting instinct is more than just psychological, it's actually the product of hormones at work in the pregnant woman's body.
The hormone prolactin is the chemical responsible for a variety of physical and mental changes. It's prolactin that also helps expectant mothers develop nurturing instincts along with widening hips and softening joints. It could also be the culprit when it comes to the additional neurons in a pregnant woman's brain, which create numerous connections in the hippocampus and boost spatial memory helpful when looking after her newborn. Those same neurons fire together to produce energy before birth so that moms-to-be can perform all those essential last-minute tasks around the house.
Nesting Instinct Tips
For some women, the desire to nest is more than just a passing fancy; they actually experience panic and stress over little things like whether or not the nursery furniture is assembled NOW or the walls in baby's room are painted the same day. They often find it difficult to relax at all in the days before baby is due to arrive. If you are feeling more manic than calm, it's important to take care of yourself.
Get enough rest. While you may find it difficult to turn off your brain at night, you need to sleep and replenish your stores of energy. Try indulging in a bedtime ritual that includes herbal tea, a hot bath, and a lavender neck rest to help you fall asleep naturally.
Use the energy created by prolactin to get all those things accomplished you feel are absolutely necessary for your baby's health and wellbeing - but take frequent breaks. Minimize the risk of feeling imbalanced and possibly falling by wearing a maternity bodysuit that supports your enlarged abdomen and relieves stress on your back and shoulders. This will not only improve the efficiency of your respiration and thus increase your energy, your body will benefit from proper posture in a number of other ways, both mentally and physically.
Don't forget to ask for help, either. Sure, your partner might not feel as anxious as you do about hanging the drapes in the nursery, but chances are he'll climb the stepstool and install the curtain rod if you ask. Maybe not immediately, but...
We are perfectly made in regards to the way humans are naturally prepared for having children. Use your natural instincts to feather your nest and use the proper maternity support garments to help you stay balanced, energized and feeling good.
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