To be excited but also anxious?

[StrawberriesTasteLikeLipsDo]

Strictly not AIBU more WWYD/ What shoul i expect?!
Sooo. Im a naturally anxious person (due mainly to my past but also I think my nature) actually having an appointement next week to speak to the GP about this as im unsure as to whether my levels of anxiety / things I worry about are normal?!
Anyway Am 32 weeks tomorrow with DS2. The hospital called today to arrange my ELCS, with their and my consultants agreement this has been booked for 37+6 21/12, due to having GD they want me in 20/12 for sliding scale etc, thats fine with me.

My concern is that the (lovely) lady I spoke to prewarned me this date "could be changed", again if that had to happen thats ok, my fear is that they would try / force me to come in 24th? Thus missing christmas my DS1.

The lady I spoke to did suggest 24th as my date to begin with... I declined as with DS1 i was in for 2 or 3 nights post..

Im just a bit scared that they will reschedule and not listen to me? If anyone has any experience of this situation a bit of a reasurring kick in the bum would be much appreciated! I see my GD specialist team including the lovely MW 21/11 so i will also ask them, im guessing they would have a good idea of how, um, flexible theatre is?

Before anyone flames me, I KNOW these things are medical, shouldnt be dictated by my schedule, but missing the first christma DS is properly aware of, would be really hard for me.. Hopefully thats not me being a complete wuss.

(Im probably being irrationally anxious)

I think it's unlikely they will force you to go in on 24th - they will do the opposite and keep it clear for emergencies! (same as weekends) cheer up

my ELCS was scheduled for a Monday, but it was canceled on the day, having sat all morning in hospital waiting to be admitted!
I then had options of same week Wednesday, Thursday or Friday!next week Tuesday was EDD, had to be done by then, but I probably could have chosen next Monday or even Tuesday due to various circumstances I won't bore you with.. he was our 4th so all very very complicated, went for Thursday at the end.

prepare for the worst, hope for the best

Although to think DS would have a baby brother or sister for Christmas makes my heart melt!

Thanks amazing i hadn't thought of it that way! Thats really reassured me. With my GD I know they wont want me far over 38 weeks, so even if its rescheduled id imagine it would be christmas week. As I have to go in the day before to be hooked up to a beast of a drip I'm guessing they would let me know the day before, certainly hope so haha!

Fingers crossed for the correct date though, I think DS will be thrilled, glad you didnt think I was being a complete diva / wuss haha

natasha they wont go any earlier as on the planned date i will only be 37+6, so thats not an option. Yes DS would definitely notice, and more so I would be absolutely miserable. As amazing said I think it would be unlikely, hopefully!

re DS's reaction - the best advice I was given when expecting baby number 2 was this :
after baby is born arrange it that DS will see YOU before meeting new baby.

cuddle him, ask about his day and share an ice cream or bag of choc with him to celebrate seeing each other again. (my kids still remember this!!!!) let no one interfere at this point!
he missed you, not baby and might not care at all about him/her for now, totally normal! he was probably worried about you as well and will want to know you are ok!

read him a story, reconnect. when you can tell he's happy and settled introduce him to HIS baby brother/sister.

he might just want to see baby and won't care about you at all. let him. enjoy your lovely family!

amazing thats brill advice, id got him a present from baby for when we get home (large castle) and also a present for at hospital (a magic colouring book where the pens only work on the book) and a little goody bag (small car slinky etc), but hadnt thought of making sure he was ready as it were, will definitely make sure we do that!

What would you do if it were a natural birth that decided to pop out on 24 December? tell it to go back because itwas inconvenient? of course you wouldn't. Most important thing is to get a healthy baby into this world; people have lots of Christmases. Christmas is about babies - oh yes, baby Jesus

Have you read my OP? Your response is quite insensitive... I have severe anxiety about natural labour due to my traumatic last nature.

Im well aware that baby is what is important, however so is my mental health.

That was perhaps a bit snippy, sorry however genuinely natural labour scares me (part of the reason for section being planned very close to 38w)

Just to say don't worry if your DS isn't interested in your hospital present and goody bag. I remember doing the same when DD2 was born she opened it but was more interested in hospital surroundings, the new baby and a packet of milk buttons! It took me a few minutes to realize what was around her currently was more interesting than any present. She was 21months.

When DS and DD3 were born I just took them a packet of sweets! Roughly 2 year age gap each time.

I remember worrying about missing Xmas day last year for DD3, due 21st dec. I had 3 hours of contractions on Xmas eve evening then it all stopped and she arrived on 28tj. DH and I agreed if I wasn't there on Xmas morning they could each pick 2 presents to open and the rest were to be left for when I got home.

It will all work out one way or other but I remember the what if I miss Xmas morning thoughts.

Thanks fresh thats reassuring, the castle is for when we get home, and i thought colouring might give him something to do but knowing him he will bring his binoculars and be at the window hehe

I know i would cope with missing xmas if I had to, I just cant quite see how atm, which in turn makes my anxiety flare. EDD is not until 5/1/13 so I know the spontaneous option is unlikely if scheduled doesn't go ahead at planned date, I was more concerned about possible forcing by the hospital, which I now see is really unlikely, so feeling much calmer.