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Original poster

To ask what it felt like to hold your baby for the first time?

200 replies

KeplerYellow · 18/02/2017 08:20

I'm currently pregnant with my first child and wondering what it will be like when he/she is finally here. I know everyone is different, it would just be nice to hear your stories.

OP posts:
CesareBorgiasUnicornMask · 18/02/2017 08:35

Why has ipad linked itself?! Hmm New advertising strategy??

NoMoreAngstPls · 18/02/2017 08:36

Ridiculously grateful to the MWs (couldn't stop thanking them!) and amazed to have such a beautiful baby!

Mol1628 · 18/02/2017 08:36

Relief. Exhaustion. Pain. Disbelief that this creature had been inside me.

I didn't really get the rush of love thing everyone goes on about. I mean I loved them and they were amazing but I wasn't instantly bonded to them or anything.

beela · 18/02/2017 08:39

Both times I remember thinking that my baby was really big and solid and complete and being amazed that this thing had just come out of me.

Shockers · 18/02/2017 08:39

I was completely overwhelmed with giddiness and excitement (I was 21 and full of energy). I couldn't stop looking at him, he was so beautiful; couldn't sleep because I was so proud and full of love.

Then, after a couple of days, anaemia set in (me, not him) and I could barely put one foot in front of the other.

He's 29 now and still gorgeous!

Rugbyplayersarehot · 18/02/2017 08:39

Baby 1 I felt relived it was all over but he cried all night. The nurse was cold and brusque and told me my baby was keeping all the others awake. They moved us to a side ward. I felt hopeless and isolated. I felt the need to protect him but not love until about 3 weeks later when he looked me full in the face and we connected.

Babies 2/3/4 different person more confident and loved them immediately.

Grandson the rush of love I felt was like being hit by a bus Smile

I think we do need to talk about things like this because not all new mums feel love and you feel so guilty and ashamed.

Great thread op.

Vanillaradio · 18/02/2017 08:40

Relief mainly. I couldn't believe he was actually here and was OK. (Preeclampsia, 4 days failed induction and emcs). The love took a bit longer but he was"mine" immediately.

LifeBeginsNow · 18/02/2017 08:41

Amazing! I was in the birthing pool and the midwife guided him up through my legs (while I tried not to stand on him). He was long and skinny and bigger than I thought he'd be.

I was naked in the pool and held him close to my breasts and it was just the best feeling. My husband cut the cord and then the midwife wrapped him in a towel and asked my husband to get him dressed while they saw to me (it was a bit daunting for him but gave him a chance to bond).

Once I was on the bed, I had him back to breastfeed and he took to it instantly. We had an hour of doing that to try and stimulate the placenta to come out. It was so special.

I also loved being in bed with him that night. The hospital had a little cot next to my bed but after his first feed, I kept him next to me and snuggled all night. I was lucky to have a bed with a window next to it and watched the sun come up. It all felt surreal, a bit scary but I also felt incredibly proud of myself and happy to have my perfect baby. I wish I could do it again!

Verticalvenetianblinds · 18/02/2017 08:42

Relief, exhausted, give him to his dad so I push the placenta out, toast.
Love came later

Cornettoninja · 18/02/2017 08:43

We didn't find out the sex before hand so were mainly caught up in the excitement of 'it's a girl!', to be honest I was off my tits and still enjoying the blessed relief of the epidural I'd had in precaution for a c-section if the ventouse didn't work so I was just generally cheerful!

I don't recall a rush of love at any point - I did though. Definitely felt overwhelmed and surreal.what surprised me was how all of my instincts were on supersonic high alert. Still are a year later, the child can't blink without me whipping my head round to check Grin I have no concept of sleeping around an awake child, my body just doesn't let me, which is a bit shit in a small house where I can hear her from every room. DP thinks I'm being a martyr not catching up on sleep when he's home but I just physically can't.

OnlyEatsToast · 18/02/2017 08:44

I don't remember first cuddle. All a blur after 4 days failed induction and EMCS. Was just relieved to have delivered a healthy baby. Felt very protective of baby but no big rush of love

RocketPockets · 18/02/2017 08:44

I hadn't a general anaesthetic for an emergency c section and my lb went to nicu (he was full term but needed assistance) for a while so I didn't hold him for hours. When I finally did I was completely spaced out and although I knew I loved him it could have been anyone's baby. I didn't get the rush of love or overwhelming feeling. I just felt indifferent for aaaages!

MrsBungle · 18/02/2017 08:45

Dc1 - totally surreal, a bit confused. I think I was shocked. I finally got to hold her after a terrible labour and a paed team having to resuscitate her. A couple of hours later though, I was holding her and felt all the rushes of love. I couldn't stop staring at her.

Dc2 - easy labour, he came out wailing and was given straight to me. I just kissed him and said hello baby. I felt ecstatic that everything had gone well after the first time. I didn't get any "rushes of love" with him, I just seemed to love him immediately and all was calm and nice.

Aaah hope everything goes well for you.

Squeezed · 18/02/2017 08:45

Dd1 i was worried because I couldn't find her in the pool, then relief that I hadn't delivered in the car. Dd2 just relief that I wasn't pregnant anymore and she was safe after some tricky moments. Loved them obviously but no big rush, mainly relief.

Imaginosity · 18/02/2017 08:45

First baby -pain free labour with epidural - loved him straight away.

Second labour - missed the epidural and the labour was very painful - I had no interest in holding him at all afterwards - I felt traumatised. I gradually got to love him over the next few weeks as I went through the motions looking after him.

Now I live them both the same a few years later.

gincamelbak · 18/02/2017 08:47

Both times: relief. Utterly relief that they were born and safe and alive.

Then it felt almost natural, as in "of course I am holding you, you're my baby and belong in my arms".

It wasn't a rush of love, it felt as though I had done it before even if I hadn't. Here was this person, new person not just a baby. The love definitely came but it was for a person not just a little bundle of baby.

WhoKn0wsWhereTheTimeG0es · 18/02/2017 08:48

Can't really remember to be honest, it waa all a bit of a blur both times.

VeryNecessary · 18/02/2017 08:48

I had a wonderful labour, no trauma or exhaustion but still I found the first time I saw/held him to be a complete anti climax. They delivered him onto my chest and I couldn't turn him round to see his face as the cord was still attached so I spent a good fifteen minutes just staring at the top of his head.

He's now three weeks old and I definitely love him, because he's mine, but I still haven't had that 'hit by a bus' feeling. I'm sure it'll come but I don't feel bad that it hasn't yet...

Cinnamon84 · 18/02/2017 08:49

Relieved and exhausted. Maybe a bit confused... the love came gradually... not to say I didn't love him at first. It was more a gentle and natural thing that grows constantly. I didn't get that overwhelming sense of happiness and love initially, think I was a bit overwhelmed!

1frenchfoodie · 18/02/2017 08:50

Zen. All the noise and equipment in the labour room just faded into the background and it felt like there was nobody in the world bar me and her. Even the midwife busy stitching away between my legs barely registered Smile

tempyuseynamey · 18/02/2017 08:54

shock at the size of her and that we'd actually made her.

BingBongBingBong · 18/02/2017 08:54

With my first I'd had an EMCS - I felt shocked, detached and numb. Traumatised tbh. I was relieved we were both OK but I'll be 100% honest, there was no rush of love. The shock meant it was a slow burn. He's 3 now and I don't think I could love him more!

With my second I had an ELCS - I felt elated, happy, relaxed and I did feel that 'rush of love' that you hear about. Then I felt worried because my DH went faint and almost passed out on the anaesthetist Grin

2 different experiences, both crazy and amazing.

Applebite · 18/02/2017 08:54

i was totally off my tits on the painkillers for the c section! mostly huge relief she was here safely and crying so i knew she was ok. DP cried too, which was really sweet (and i still like to remind him of this).

totally agree with PPs though - don't have any expectations. it's all such a blur and there is no right way to feel. congratulations!

0nline · 18/02/2017 08:54

Weird

Like I was holding some random baby and everybody was going along with the pretence it was mine,

Got worse when I put him to the breast. Had an overwhelming feeling of "Big Fat Fraud"

Couldn't believe they were going to make me leave with him, and take care of him All By Myself (well.. me and dh)

It didn't stay that way. At some point it slowly morphed into knowing he was mine, it was all real and nobody was going to say "hang on a minute !" and take him off me.

BingBongBingBong · 18/02/2017 08:55

Oh and both times I remember being very awestruck - my body made and carried these tiny babies! (I didn't expect either to be so tiny at just under 6lbs!)

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