The Last Trimester: Nesting & Being Hospital Ready

Pregnancy Nesting

You might not realize it, but if you have found yourself in a frantic hurry to clean the house or organize your home in the recent weeks, you are doing what is called “pregnancy nesting”. Don’t think your going crazy momma bird, this is a natural response!

Nesting is the burst of energy women often experience in the last few weeks of pregnancy that inspires them to clean and organize the house in preparation for the baby’s arrival. A few of the different things that can be key during this time are restocking your fridge, padding your pantry, deep cleaning, outfitting yourself as well as your baby, and getting a jump start on birth announcements.

Now, remember that even though it’s important to nest your home, it’s also important to be safe by not climbing over things, overreaching, or lifting anything too heavy. This is a time to enjoy the pregnancy nesting experience and making your nest perfect for the arrival of your little one.

Nesting for Dads

Dads, do not panic if you come home to the furniture all rearranged when your partner is pregnant. It is normal for a mother to want to “organize” or “nest” before the arrival of the baby. 

It’s a natural urge that helps women feel in control of their environment, and it’s also a key part of preparing for birth. If your partner is nesting, getting involved can help to strengthen your relationship and show your partner that you’re being understanding about her nesting.

What Does Baby Need

The big day has come and passed, your little angel has made their big arrival. Now it’s time to go back home and get settled in. You will want to be prepared before bringing your baby home by making sure that there is a safe place for your baby to sleep, several things to keep your baby fed, warm, and clean, as well as a safe way to transport your baby home.

There is nothing to take more seriously than making sure you have the right car seat ready to transport your newborn baby home. Understanding car seat safety is going to be important for the next four years of your child’s life and you will feel more in control by having a safe/reliable care seat.

Having a safe place for your child to sleep once you are home couldn’t be more important. You and your baby have just gone through a rather tiring couple of hours and need to come home to “recharge”, so having a comfortable/safe place to put your baby as you rest brings you peace of mind.

What to Pack in Your Hospital Bag

Did you know that ​​your body starts preparing for labor in advance—as much as a month before you actually give birth? Timing is different for every pregnancy; however, no matter what time it is, there is always a sense of “urgency” when the clock strikes “active labor time.”

When that time calls for you to head to the hospital for your baby’s big debut, you are going to have no time to think about whether or not you packed something. There is also the chance that your little one might not want to wait any longer and decide, “I want to come three weeks early!” Since this is a possible situation, it is recommended that you have your hospital bag packed at around 35 weeks.