Advice needed and reassurance on 2 1/2 year old.

[coffecake]

Hi, I'm really quite worried about my little girl who's 2.6 years old.
I am 31 weeks pregnant and dd1 has only just started pre school for 1 morning a week, and although the first session went fine she was really upset during the second session and the third although she did manage to stay for the full 2 1/2 hours (not crying all the time but happy one minute then upset the next etc...)
I thought it was just the fact that pre school was all new to her and everything but I've just taken her to her nanny's house to play with her little cousin, which she normally loves doing (without me, I normally leave her for about 2/3 hours) but today she wouldn't let me go.
She seems very upset, and I just had to leave her while she was still crying. I told her nanny that if she couldn't calm her down I would take her back home or stay there with her.
Her nanny phoned me about 5 minutes later telling me that she was now alright but that it took a little while (a few minutes) to calm her down.
She understands that she soon will have a little brother/sister, and although she seems to love the idea (she tells me that she will help me with him and play with him/her), she obviously seems to think that in order to have the baby I need to get rid of her or something...
This is horrifying me, what can I say to make a 2 year old understand that I will always come back to pick her up, and that I will never leave her?
Any thought, experiences or advice on the matter?
Sorry if I sound a bit weak and overreacting but I do take it at heart, and I'm obviously a bit more emotional, as pregnant.
Thank you.

i kind of went through this with my dd1

when dd2 was born dd1 was 2yrs 1mth. shortly after that dd1 started at a playgroup, i left her there 2 mornings a week for 2 hrs

she went a couple of times fine, then she started being clingy and crying and the staff would carry her kicking and screaming while i scarpered with dd2 the staff would reassure me she would stop crying after only 3 or 4 mins

i was told by them that ALL the children do htis at some stage, and the most common age is around 2yrs 6mths, and not only with children who have siblings/pregnant mummies, only children do it too

i think they realise they are not superglued to your hip and get a bit of a shock

she will realise you come back to collect her, jsut make sure you are never late or you will be back to square one (which i did!!)

my dd1 was great with dd2, i had no probs, the best advice i can offer is to be very laid back about the whole thing, get your dd involved in EVERYTHING, and spoil your dd, the younger one will not notice, and you are giving your new baby (when s/he arrives!) the best present ever - a big sister!

hth

well maybe not all but most

dont worry xx

Thank you so much, I am so relieved with your post.
I will be laid back about it but obviously reassure her that I am coming back etc...
She is very switched on and doesn't miss a thing so I'm sure she'll understand (I hope ).

Oh yeah, and another thing she does at the moment (I've just remembered) is that when there are other people around (like my friends or familly members) she will tend to ask THEM stuff (like "can you take me to the toilet" or "can you wipe my nose" or "I want to hold your hand" or "I want a drink") rather than ask me.
Like she's trying to rely on someone else or something...
Look at me I think I'm a child psychologist now!

that to me sound slike a little sign of "look! im here too!" and at least she is not shy and swings on your legs, cat got her tongue

when the baby comes along you can use the line i have completely over-used "what a big clever sister you are!" etc