Giving birth to a baby who is potentially very sick - I am soooo scared. Anybody got any thoughts?

[emkana]

God it's bad enough going through labour when you know/think your baby is fine, but I can already feel myself going tense at the thought of giving birth to this baby who might be very very ill...

in a way I want to keep him inside forever, at least I know he's okay in there.

Of course you feel this way. ITs horrible for you.

We all wish you and your whole family - new baby included - lots of love.

Just think of how relieved you will be to have this pregnancy over with. Comparing photos of me the day before DD was born, to ones the day she was born, you can just see all the worry falling away, even though she still had lots of tests ahead of her.

I hope you get a nice midwife and are well looked after in hospital. They gave me a lovely senior midwife and my consultant wrote to the ward manager explaining the circumstances and requesting that I have my own room, plenty of privacy etc. I bet all the staff will treat you very well.

we will all be here for you whatever happens. everything crossed for the best possible outcome. bkxxx

Friends of mine were told information during extensive scans that they thought might result in a baby with physical damage.

The baby was absolutely fine.

Gosh, it's understandable to be scared. I wanted to keep my two inside forever to keep them safe, and I was having normal pgs...Until I went overdue and then I wanted them out before the placenta started deteriorating!!

It must be worse since you haven't had a conclusive diagnosis of what the problem might be.

I hope that you can be on here soon with smiles and happy news.

I've never postedon your threads before, I can't imagine what you must be going through, I wish you all the best for the delivery and beyond xxx

I had no idea about any of this but I really wish you and your baby well. I would imagine the next few days until you give birth will be very hard and stressful for you, it must be so hard not knowing. I have no experience so no real advice to give but couldn't read and ignore.

emkana I dont have the personal experience of what you are going through but I can empathise and I am so sorry. We are all hoping your baby will be healthy!! And if he is unwell he will still be your precious baby and you will find the strength to deal with what comes your way. I really believe that.

You have been very much in my thoughts the last few days emkana.

emkana - you will cope with whatever happens (and if its all fine don't feel weird if you feel deflated- very strange as that may sound!) I think whatever happens knowing what you are dealing with is easier than wondering (when its all too easy to stumble into a dark place iyswim).

Were you late with your girls? I always seem to have long pregnancies (and was always jealous of the early girls!)

Thinking of you emkana. For what it's worth I am SURE that when you hold that baby in your arms you will fall deeply in love. Good luck x (Will look out for your good news on the site :)

More thoughts for you and baby - will have you in my prayers sweetheart x

Oh Emkana.

I don't know - I am sure everyone handles it in the way that is them. We knew some things about DS, and others had been suggested as likely 'extras' but we wouldn't know until he was born. But I was the complete opposite of FairyJay - nothing was in the focus of my mind throughout labour and birth except wanting to protect DS as he experienced it. When he was born onto my stomach, I drew him straight to my chest / breast and didn't even look at his legs. The agpar was ok and eventually the paed gave him more of a once over, and his little foot / 4 toes became noticable, and they checked for all the other things that had loomed over us in a v discreet way. I imagine that the immediate intervention of a paed will be much more prominent when your baby is born, but your job throughout labour is to enable him to arrive safely and begin his life as your son. Hopefully your endorphins will kick in early, and enable you to ride the whole thing out in that single-minded-focussing on labour sort of way.

Very much thinking of you, and wishing you and your baby the best.

Thinking of you xxx

Wishing you all the luck and the strength to go through this with all the love you have expressed thus far.
I know you still have a chance that everything may be ok, I alos know how hard it is to hope for that.
It is better for your baby, that any potential difficulties are known beforehand and everything will be there ready for him when he comes to his mummy who loves him
Take care and hope to hear your happy news soon
xxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Been thinking of you emkana.

I didn't know about my dd's health problems before her birth so can only sympathise with your feelings. I can understand that you just want to keep this baby inside - the urge to protect him must be massive. I remember just feeling the need to pick my dd up in my arms and run away with her.

Just try to focus on delivering him safely - face what comes after when (and if) it comes. Wishing you all the luck in the world.

emkana, I will be away from my computer for the next few days, but you won't be far from my thoughts, believe me. I am wishing as hard as it is possible to wish for a good outcome, and I am looking forward to seeing a photo of your lovely little boy.
xxx

emkana, nothing really to add but my support for you.

Will be thinking of you xxx

Em
Wishing you and your son the best!

xx

I've just sat here for 20 minutes trying to post something that sounds right and I've deleted the whole post about 5 times. I wish I had the words to make this better Em, I really really do.

I'm just say that over the next few days I'll be thinking abut you alot and I'll be praying that everything is Ok.

Take care.
xxx

Hope that everything goes wll for you, what a lucky boy to have amommy that loves hiim as much as you xxxxx

Sending lots of good thoughts and prayers for you and your little ones.

So glad to find this post. I (and half of mumsnet apparently) have been thinking of you. No wise words to add, just lots of support.

Just wanted to send you all my best. Incredible things can happen during birth and afterwards. Hope it is the special time for you that all mothers deserve.

Thank you all so much, it feels so good to read these messages.

The strange thing about real-life friends and family is that I can't open up to them as I can on here, I'm just "coping brilliantly" etc. etc. - just can't talk about it face-to-face as too scared to burst into tears.

Jimjams - yes I was late with both girls, even induced with dd2 - I didn't expect it this time, but there you go...