Burst of energy before labor - what do you do with it?

Question

My mom says that a few days before going into labor she would always suddenly have lots of energy - but then she would use all her energy up cleaning and nesting, so when the actual labor came she was back to feeling fatigued like before.

So, assuming I'm like my mother, and get that burst of energy, what should I do with it? Is there a way to put it to good use without using it up?

I'm at 32 weeks now, so hopefully this won't actually happen for a little while yet.

Answer 1

Luckily, I've been getting bursts of energy off and on for a month now (I'm 34 weeks), and if i were you I'd use that time to pre cook and freeze a few meals, stock up on basic items so you don't have to run to the store when your baby is just born, and clean anything that needs to be taken care of. Is the baby's room ready to go? Get that squared away when you can, and make sure you know how to use the car seat (important!), the baby swing, night light, the baby tub, the bouncy seat, etc, and put batteries in them and test em all out now, so if you have to return anything, you can do that during one of your bursts.
So...stock up, clean, pre-cook, decorate and test everything out, then you can finish up any hobbies you have lying around that remain undone.

Answer 2

Do anything that will help you later when the baby is born. Make a list and tackle it methodically. People put so much energy into worrying about the labor part. Yes--labor is hard and taxing--but--the hard work will start when you get that baby home and you find yourself with too many things to do on little sleep.

Assuming that your husband or partner will be home for the first couple of weeks--what is it that he doesn't do? Mine doesn't cook. So make dinners and freeze them. Or better yet go to one of those meal assembly places like Dream Dinners and assemble your meals--they have cooking labels on them that the most cooking-challenged person can follow. Make sure all of your supplies are organized. Take walks--don't underestimate the importance of taking care of yourself. Go get your nails done and treat yourself to a bikini wax (the OB and the other 10 people staring at your who-haw will thank you for your considerate hygiene.
Reconnect with friends--you probably won't have as much time for them after the baby arrives as you would like.

Good Luck! Don't Worry! Pretty Soon you'll have more to do than you have energy for--so you won't have to wonder what to do with your spare time/energy. Enjoy it! And--this is a cliche you probably here every day but here goes---Your life will NEVER be the same!

Answer 3

A lot of people recommend a labor project. have something in mind that you want to accomplish and wait until the energy comes, or until you are in prelabor and need to keep your mind off of being in labor and do it. some good ideas are: make a couple of recipes that you will want after the baby comes and freeze them so you dont have to cook, or if you need to organize baby's room, or buy a craft or something you have always wanted to try. I always clean like a freak, BUT be sure to save some of the energy, because if you are in labor you will need it!!!!!

Answer 4

I couldn't help but use the energy. I, unlike most people, didn't have the urge to clean. I think I had already nested everything I could before! I actually couldn't sit still. I speed walked forever and ever! I couldn't control it. It may not be the same for you...either way...good luck and congrats!

Answer 5

I went through nesting with both pregnancies but both times it was weeks before I actually went into labor so it didnt make a difference.

All pregnancies are different though.

Answer 6

I had that too. My Mom called it nesting. I cleaned up everything then I went into labor.

Answer 7

get everything ready for when the baby gets home, maybe cook and freeze a few meals, do last minute shopping, get the cleaning all done, there will be a lot of visitors so make sure that the house is in good shape and your ready for anything!

Answer 8

I got the nursury ready and cooked some mels to freeze. Labor will sap your energy regardless of what you do beforehand.

Answer 9

NESTING brings babies here... use your energy wisely and always keep in the back of your head that you are nesting... that way you wont overwork yourself and when baby comes you will be ready...

Answer 10

confident! I had very good "nesting" habit. I wiped sparkling my entire abode and then it grow to be time for a calming bathe. after i grow to be completed and earlier I stepped out, i desperate the grout between the tiles had to be wiped sparkling "ultimate now" so i grow to be surely scrubbing the grout with an previous toothbrush while my water broke and that i began out hard artwork!