The Nesting Instinct in Pregnancy: What’s Really Happening?
It’s raining outside, and a little wren couple is busy building their home in the petunia basket hanging on the porch. As several close friends are late in their third trimester of pregnancy, I’m reminded of the powerful nesting instinct so many women experience during this season. This common late-pregnancy behavior is driven by shifting hormones that help prepare a mama physically and emotionally for birth and newborn care.
Many mamas experience this urge in the days or weeks leading up to birth. One of my best friends started mopping her floors during early labor—while her husband was baking several dozen cookies! (Men have their own nesting instinct, often showing up as a deep desire to protect and provide.)
So what’s really going on here?
Oxytocin begins to rise, deepening the desire for closeness, comfort, and connection.
Prolactin increases, stimulating milk production and nurturing instincts.
Estrogen peaks in the third trimester, fueling the motivation, urgency, and energy to clean, prepare, and organize.
Cortisol also rises right before labor—not as a stress response, but as a way to heighten awareness and readiness for the incredible event of birth.
These hormonal shifts are doing more than just helping you color-code baby onesies. They’re helping prepare your heart, your mind, and your home. Tidying, meal prepping, and adding touches of warmth give a sense of calm, control, and safety—a nest.
Not every woman will experience nesting in the same way or on the same timeline—and that’s okay. What’s most important is that, like all mammal mothers, women need to feel safe and undisturbed as they approach birth. Supporting your body’s design with privacy, peace, and trust in this time can help optimize these beautifully orchestrated hormones.
Whether your nesting looks like deep-cleaning, baking, or simply curling up on the couch with your family—know that it’s all part of the sacred preparation. You can lean into the excitement and anticipation of meeting your baby, but don’t forget: rest is essential. Your body and baby are about to do incredible, intense work.
Keep an eye out for an upcoming post on how to recognize early labor. (Every woman’s experience is unique, but there are telltale clues that help your partner and birth team understand what’s going on and how to support you.)
If you'd like a “What to Do in Early Labor” handout (especially helpful for partners), send me a message.
If you’re a seasoned mama curious about the physiology behind labor, message me for a simple stages of labor cheat sheet!
Soul food: He will cover you with His feathers, and under His wings you will find refuge; His faithfulness will be your shield and rampart. Psalm 91:4
The wren family’s safe and cozy nest.
