What is Nest syndrome?

nest-syndrome

A thorough cleaning of the house and the baby’s room together with that you do not lack anything in your room, the crib, having all your clothes washed, folded and ironed… surely if you are pregnant and you are in the third trimester you will find yourself in the midst of all these preparations. Well, you know that this has a name and it’s called Nest Syndrome. We tell you all facts about the Nest syndrome!

All pregnant women, sooner or later, go through a more intense stage in which the desire to have everything ready for the baby becomes more acute. That everything is prepared and nothing is missing for the little one becomes his main objective, something that, above all, usually happens towards the end of the pregnancy. That everything is impeccable, order your clothes, prepare the crib, the bathtub, the furniture… You can’t miss anything!

What is Nest syndrome?

This period of pregnancy is known as Nest Syndrome. Also known as nest behavior or nesting instinct. It consists of the feeling and need that appears in a pregnant woman in the last weeks of gestation. Need to have everything prepared and controlled for the arrival of your baby at home. Some studies describe an increase in energy and hyperactivity in the last weeks of pregnancy, despite the tiredness typical of the third trimester, which together with a certain anxiety before the countdown, make the future mother not stop doing things and tasks, especially domestic ones, days before going into labor.

The main cause for which the Nest Syndrome appears in pregnant women is hormonal. It happens more intensely to some women than to others and perhaps to a greater extent to first-time women, but in general it is common in all pregnancies. It can simply occur preventively, in some women more than in others, depending on the way each person is. But, it also occurs due to hormonal changes. We protect our babies from before birth. It is about wanting to keep everything under control before the arrival of your baby. Because it is better to prevent than to cure, and the mother’s instinct comes out before childbirth… Moreover, this behavior could also be part of the first phase of childbirth, the famous prodromes, being a sign that occurs and indicates the imminent arrival of your baby to the extrauterine world.

When do you begin to experience the Nest Syndrome in pregnancy?

Depending on the character, personality and way of being of the pregnant woman, the Nest Syndrome can appear at any time, and in any trimester, but the midwife tells us that this behavior is more evident in women who have already spent weeks 28-30, that is, in the third quarter. In the second trimester it is less frequent that it appears, since the delivery is still very far away and, normally, the typical discomforts and fears of the first trimester have just ended. The second trimester is to enjoy, not to be overwhelmed!

But it may happen that there are women in whom this behavior does not appear until the last days of pregnancy. It is very common, to do a thorough cleaning of the house in week 39 or 40. And it is to finish doing that and go into labor. Perhaps it was what your body needed, in addition to movement (which never hurts), your mind needed to do or finish what you had been thinking about for so many days, and until you do it, you don’t stay calm. When tranquility begins, it is when the release of oxytocin, the labor hormone, is given free rein.

The most frequent and common symptoms of the Nest Syndrome

  • The tendency to order and cleanliness to the point of making it part of the routine in the days before delivery.
  • The preparation of the baby’s room takes up a lot of time in the day to day of the expectant mother. Washing the clothes, ironing them, placing them, choosing furniture, a crib, cabinets… and ordering or buying an endless number of accessories, accessories and decorations for the baby’s arrival.
  • Lastly, there are mothers who, in addition to everything mentioned above, turn the house into a construction site, thus really preparing the ‘new’ nest for their baby.

Advice about the Nest Syndrome

It is a totally normal behavior of protection before the arrival of your baby. It is still inside you and you are already creating its extrauterine nest, this is part of the maternal instinct and doing everything you set your mind to, in most cases, gives you peace of mind and pleasure. It is advisable to set tasks for days, organize yourself, and most importantly, rest.

Some tips that can be very helpful:

  1. Prioritize: What is most important? What rushes me faster? Answer these questions and set yourself some tasks per day.
  2. Ask for help: it is normal for the situation to overwhelm you. Are a lot of things. Ask family and friends for help. And of course to your partner, the tasks are shared.
  3. When cleaning: beware of toxic products. Protect yourself and read labels before using them.
  4. Rest: preparing the nest for your baby is as important as your rest, free time or leisure. Free your Mind.