The nesting instinct is when a woman becomes more concerned with her domestic surroundings than usual: catching up on the housework she may have previously not considered a priority, usually in one large go - sort of like a spring clean. She may also collect and store away baby clothes in more extreme circumstances. While there is plenty on the Internet about how this can be an indicator that labour is due to start and how many women experience nesting from the third trimester, I found just one forum where a lady asked if she was the only one who was not pregnant but still experienced nesting around the time of ovulation each month.
It is a common issue for women. Gabrielle Lichterman talks about it in her brilliant 28 Days, which is a guide to everything a woman does/ can go through physically, emotionally and mentally during the monthly cycle. I cannot recommend the book enough and Gabrielle also has a website.
As I mentioned before, nesting in non-pregnant women is usually experienced around the time of ovulation. This is because during this time of the month the body releases more progesterone than at other times, on the off-chance that the egg you've produced is going to be fertilised; it prepares the lining of the womb for implantation, amongst other things. This means you might notice the outstanding DIY jobs in your home more than usual, nagging the hubby/ boyfriend to put those shelves up, mow the lawn or plaster the ceiling. A woman particularly susceptible to progesterone effects will also become broody around this time; even if she has no inclination towards nappy-changing and sleepless nights, the aww-factor will loom large in her day and she will be cooing over puppies and kittens, if not human babies.
Another typically famous pregnancy symptom the progesterone-sensitive ovulating lady will get is the brain drain. Pregnant women are noted for being forgetful and this happens also during ovulation for many women. You might be the most organised, together queen of your own life the rest of the month but once that egg is released, you leave your brolly on the bus, you forget where you put the shopping list you made so you wouldn't forget what you needed to shop for, and your PIN number at the bank? Gone. Clumsiness can increase too so good luck surviving this week of your cycle without concussion or a cast.
You could be forgiven, due to the lack of information out there, for thinking you were strange and experiencing symptoms reserved only for the expectant. But all of this is perfectly normal and healthy (unless you do hurt yourself falling over your own feet).
