Anyone expecting 3rd DC? Could do with someone to hold my hand!

[SpudtheScarecrow]

Apologies if a thread like this already exists but I've just found out I'm expecting (much wanted) DC3 and am feeling really anxious as well as excited. I'm worried about all the practical bits of dealing with 3 and the fact I had sections with my other 2 (DSs 4 and 2)but I also feel much more worried about the pregnancy than I did with the other 2, things like swine flu etc

I'm only about 4 + 3 so far to early to talk to anyone in RL so would be really grateful to hear from anyone in the same position or anyone who'd been there and done it!

Thanks

[fillybuster]

hi spud...you are not alone! i'm in a similar boat - I've got 2 dcs (ds4 and dd 21 months) and am about 4+2 so also far too early to talk to anyone in RL or even admit much to myself or dh that anything is going on....

i'm also much more worried about everything pregnancy related...not just swine flu, but also the risk of a miscarriage, spotting, anything else...all the things I never worried about with the first 2 and have no history of, so no good reason to be concerned about this time around. I suspect it may be because so many of my friends have had difficulties at various stages of pg over the past few years, so I'm much more aware now of all the things that could go wrong. As dh said to me last night "it's not really 'real' until the 12 week scan, is it?".

i've had 2 nightmare births so far: both were back to back, both labours went on for over 27 hours, i got torn to pieces both times and my stitches got infected both times....right now, I'm trying not to let myself think about the labour or dealing with 3 kids post-birth - I reckon the first will probably happen regardless of how much I worry about it and the second can be dealt with in 9 months time!

you might want to wander over the the ante-natal June 2010 thread when you're ready...there's a number on there already, including a fair few like us who aren't telling anyone else yet

[SpudtheScarecrow]

Thanks Filly, that's just how I feel. For some reason I feel really aware of everything that can go wrong and every day seems to bring a new worry to replace the last! I feel a bit guilty about DSs as well - DS1 has already had to adjust to DS2 (who was a very colic-y baby) arriving and now he has to do it again. (Although they are great pals most of the time) I also feel bad that they're going to have to put up with a pregnant, tired and grumpy mum just when things were getting easier. But I love seeing the two of them becoming friends so try remind myself that it's a great thing for them to have another sibling - I'm an only child which I think is why I've always wanted a big family.

Anyway, I'm going to wander over to the antenatal thread and say a tentative hello!

[sobloodystupid]

welcome to the club. I'm only 6 weeks pg but panicking about everything... Hopefully we'll pull ourselves together in time for June...

[fillybuster]

hey sobloody, you need to come and hang out on the june antenatal thread too! we can all panic together!

[SpudtheScarecrow]

Hi Sobloody - glad to see you. And glad to hear someone else is panicking too

[sobloodystupid]

thanks guys. btw I have 2dc, dd aged 3.5, ds aged 8 months. Weirdly, this is the most excited I've ever been about being pg. See you both on the june thread so

[pooexplosions]

I've just had DS3, 3 weeks old tomorrow (also have 5 and 2 yr olds), if anyone wants to grill me and see if it helps? Not saying thats likely mind you!

For fillybuster, I also had 2 v painful back to back labours, both with interventions, tears etc etc. My third started labour back to back and I thought it was going the same way, but I used a pool and he turned himself and I had a 3 hour natural labour with just gas and air, no tearing, completely fine. The difference post-birth as unimaginable. I hope you also break your pattern, I never expected to, but am so happy that I did for my last baby.

[SpudtheScarecrow]

Wow, poo thanks for replying. Am very impressed that you're managing to make time for MN.

How have your DSs reacted to the new baby? That's the thing that worries me most - when I had DS2 DS1 was only 22 months and just seemed to adapt - I think quite quickly he couldn't remember that it had ever been just him.

What are you finding the easiest/hardest things this time around?

Thanks - and congratulations on DS3 3 boys will be loads of fun

[pooexplosions]

Hiya.
DS2 is 26 months, and I was worried about his reaction, he is quite clingy and I thought he would be jealous. So far he is fine with the baby, adores him and wants to kiss him all the time! He did get narky with me though, becoming a bit of a dadas boy and not hugging me if the baby was there. Its all quite minor though and that part is easier than I thought. DS1 is crazy about him, v protective and helpful.

Hardest is the practical juggling. I said to someone today that its a little like that riddle with the man and the boat, and he has to bring the dog and the chicken across but not together? I get stuck thinking, ok can't leave you 2 alone together, or the other 2, who gets put in the car first, who gets fed first/put to bed first/played with first etc.
Thats the hardest bit for me! Having a plan though is good, getting out regularly to keep sane, even if just to the shops or a walk. And lowering standards and not expecting too much!

So far though, its going ok, most of the time! I'm hoping they will all get on well, thats the main thing.

PS can always make time for a little mn'ing!