Frekkles and Ginger, honestly, do not believe the soft focus Mothercare pictures. Pg is difficult for nearly everyone. So is childbirth. So is parenthood. The big question is if this is the case, why do people do it repeatedly then?
It's because actually within us we do find the fortitude to continue, and when the babies arrive, they are truly, truly endearing and fascinating in equal measure, and they win us over. Unfailingly. That's not to say it happens instantly. Many people take a month or more to fall in love with their baby. However if you go through the motions of parenthood, it always happens. Then it is for life. You have not known true love unless you have been a parent. It makes you complete.
If it's any comfort, I already have three of them and I am a devoted mum, and even I sit here thinking "WTF am I doing? I can't be bothered with feeling like this, and I can't be bothered looking after it when it arrives". There was indeed a series of Boffin Mindnoise posts a few threads back when I was about 23 weeks or so, running up to the deadline for a legal termination, and really in a dark, dark, place, ranting on here about it. But with the help of these fine people, I got it off my chest, and over my period of attacking the crib as a revenge measure for the SPD, and I am sitting here really a lot more together, with a nicely made up crib at the end of my bed and even doing some vicarious nesting.
I did tell my consultant about some of the dark stuff and her reaction was refreshing. She said it would be a bit odd if a healthy, active woman was put through this, and didn't feel resentment/depression/anxiety etc. She said the good sign was talking about it and trying little by little to do something about it. She said they would only be worried if I had completely given up and lay in bed literally all the time.
I think I have found going out, even for a coffee, or having someone pop over, every single day, makes a difference. It's important not to be isolated. But there's no getting away from the fact that it is a challenging time, then again, that is what makes us three-dimensional human beings with interesting personalities.
Hope that is some comfort, anyway. xx