Can someone please slap me round the face, chuck a bucket of water over me, or do something to CALM ME DOWN???

[PrincessJenga]

I'm 32 weeks pregnant and have been feeling 'peculiar' for the last few days. Today I had to ( had to i tell you!) do the hugest food shop in the history of the world, tidy the entire flat and pack my hospital bag.

I know I realistically have ten weeks to go, but I can't sit still till I know it's all ready.

DP is just watching me race around the flat, looking mildly concerned, but mostly bemused. He has just caught on to the fact that I've bought "more baby clothes" and not even questioned me, just shook his head and continued observing from afar.

Please, someone say something to calm me down (or reassure me that I am totally normal and everyone goes through a crazy nesting period!)

It's just temporary nesting. Set a limit, e.g. that you will stop at 10 or 10.30pm and have a warm drink. If you continue nesting right up to bedtime then your head may be whirling round and you may be het up still.

I felt this panic around 34 ish weeks. I had a couple of weeks left at work, and had an overwhelming panic that I might start ml and go straight into labour with nothing done.

Try and make a list of the most important things and focus on those over the next few days.

Do you have a bath tub? Get your dh to run a bath for you in a little while and dim the lights.

Totally normal, it happened to me between 36-38 weeks with both my DD's, went mental cooking, cleaning, packing and making hospital trip plans, back up plans, and plan C just in case. Then it stopped and calm ressumed.

Is this your first baby? I am guessing it is. You will be very surprised at how calm you will be on the day, and part of that is due to all the preparation you are doing now. Just dont wear yourself out, get it out of your system, tick off your list and know that you are ready. And if possible, get DP to tick off the list with you, that way if you go into panic mode again, he will be able to reassure you that everything is done and ready xx

Oh god, I don't even have a list to tick off... And how will I know what the most important things are?! PANIC!

Thank you for your kind words. I still feel manic, but went for a walk and am now sat on sofa with a big bowl of fruit. Going to have a bath soon and go to bed with a crappy magazine to try to wind down before sleep.

In the morning, I will write a list of all the things that need to be done and show it to DP. Anything he scoffs at I will know isn't that important!

Sounds all very normal to me. Did you sleep OK?

I did exactly that! DD wasn't born for another 6 weeks, by which time I couldn't give a stuff about cleaning anymore, so I wouldn't worry unduly.

Thank you. Had an OK night's sleep (I've given up on ever having a 'good' night again!) and feel much calmer this morning. I know it's ridiculous to have a bag packed already, but it has made me feel better! And DP - bless him - says he's going to unpack and repack it again so that he knows what's in there and can find me whatever I need when I need it in about two months time

I'm just about to pop down to my favourite cafe with a notepad and a collection of various coloured pens to list everything I want to get done over the next few weeks so that I can tackle them one by one. I think part of the problem is that I've been signed off work (really low blood pressure) so feeling out of the loop there, and our house move has stalled so feeling out of control there. I think I just needed to be able to organise something.

Anyway. Phew. Glad I'm 'normal' (ish!) Thanks for all of your kind words.