Nesting or the sudden urge to get everything ready
Don't be surprised if your partner suddenly overcomes her recent tiredness and starts mopping the floors and organizing the cupboards. It’s a common behavior in women who are close to giving birth. The phenomenon is called nesting syndrome because just like birds make their nest so their eggs can hatch safely, human moms clean the house and set everything up for the baby’s imminent arrival [1].
The exact causes behind nesting syndrome are unknown, it is most likely prompted by hormones [2, 3] and an unconscious attempt to keep anxiety under control [4].
In any case, a burst of energy and a need to tidy up the house shortly before childbirth is perfectly normal. You can make nesting a team effort by doing the cleaning and organizing together, and make sure your partner doesn’t lift any heavy objects or climb up on a chair or ladder.
At this time, the body of the expectant mother is preparing for childbirth. As the cervix softens, thins, and opens, the mucus plug that closed its opening throughout pregnancy can begin to dislodge and stain underwear or toilet paper with bloody mucus. This is a natural part of the birthing process, but if there are no contractions it is too early to go to the hospital [5, 6].
If your partner notices she is leaking a clear, transparent liquid it could be that her membranes broke, signaling the start of labor (if it hasn’t begun already). In that case, you should contact the doctor as soon as possible and follow their instructions closely [6].
