Normal to not be excited?

[sophiaslullaby]

Am 40 weeks with a very much wanted baby and can not wait to hold him/her in my arms, meet them etc. But I'm not feeling excited? I am very tired, achey, apprehensive (although not scared) about the process of labour so could this all be why?

Friends and family keep saying how excited they are which is sweet and I understand but when they ask if I am I say I over the moon baby is coming soon but 'excited' isn't the word I'd use. They then go quiet on me like I've said something really bad. Have I? Maybe I could be a bit more tactful but I'm fed up of having to act like a 5 year old awaiting Christmas morning.

Think I'm just being a moody mare!

[Sighing]

It's notmal to have some trepidation about the birth and the change of life that follows you've got used to "being pregnant" it's been your life for about 8 months (plus ttc?) but it is a temporary stage, and about to end.

[Champagneformyrealfriends]

I'm only just excited at 16 weeks now. In fact at first I wasn't even that pleased, and this baby although not planned timing wise is very much wanted. So I think it's normal xx

[sophiaslullaby]

Thankyou for your responses, I kind of understand why I'm not jumpy excited just other people making me think somethings wrong, reassuring to know its just a phase. Baby be here soon :-)

[HopeFull28]

I'm feeling similar and everyone keeps telling me how excited I must be.. I'm 38wks+3 and can't wait to hold my LO but feeling so tired and aching and slightly nervous about labour... Soon we'll be holding our babies and this feeling will be gone

[JustMeAndHim]

I am only in my first trimester but completely understand what you mean. I don't like being fussed over. I know that it's lovely for family and friends to be excited for you but at the same time, it's different when you're going through it. I think if you're saying you're over the moon that the baby is coming then I don't see an issue. It's not like you're not interested.

I can't see me being excited until the baby is safely in my arms.

[ppandj]

Other people don't have the same emotions (obviously) as the parent(s) ime. For my family and friends my pregnancy and the anticipation of DS's arrival seemed like unadulterated excitement and joy. I was over the moon and longing to meet my baby boy but was tired, a bit nervous and relatively calm. So I think it's not unusual to feel this way.

[austengirl]

I'm definitely feeling this way right now sophiaslullaby. 38+5, wondering when the baby will arrive, how labour will go, what I'll feel like afterwards etc. It's really hard for me to see the joy in parenting right now, rather than just the responsibility and tedium. I worry I won't feel the overwhelming love as soon I get to hold DC. I feel awful saying it, and this baby is very much wanted. My mum and gran are really excited and it's hard for me to match their enthusiasm. I don't think the weather is helping, as I'm prone to mild SAD anyway.

I'm hoping that like the weather, this too will pass. Hope your baby arrives soon Sophia.

[MrsCrimshaw]

I feel exactly the same (I'm 34+3). Everyone else is free to feel excited, but we've got the fear and anxiety about labour that is still to come. Yes people give birth every day but it's still a serious process that has huge potential risks. The responsibility for that little life is also daunting. It's inevitably going to take the edge off the excitement.

That and I'm too tired to jump up and down with joy about anything right now...

[CoffeeAndOranges]

Maybe it's because everyone else gets to enjoy the exciting bit (yummy new baby) without having to physically push it out, or deal with the imminent sleepless nights, leaky boobs, poo, vomit etc etc. They get to coo over the baby, and give it back.

I'm 37 weeks and whilst I'm looking forward to meeting the one who's been booting me in the ribs for months, I can't say excited is the right word. Ambivalent? Trepidatious? Curious? Maybe...

There will be moments of pure joy but it's fine not to be excited at the prospects of the hard bits.