What to expect?

[JacobsMummy2Be]

Hi, im 19 years old pregnant with my first child, currently 34+2wks, im really nervous about going into labour and what to expect at the hospital? how will i know if im have contractions? or braxton hicks? What happens when you go into hospital? im just so nervous, any feedback would be very helpful! Thank you

p.s im also very worried i wont know what to do when my baby arrives, such as feeding, bathing and nappy changing :S

I was also 19 when I had my dd1 (now nearly 13 - makes me feel very old!). I was pretty scared too.

Labour is ok. Really. Yes it's painful but it's not forever and you get a baby at the end of it!

I don't know what you should expect at your hospital and what happens will depend very much on how your labour goes and what you want to happen. I take it you'll have a birthing partner?

BH go away, real contractions stay. Also, I found that BH feel just like a tummy tightening. Real contractions began in my back like period pain.

Have you yet been to parentcraft classes? Ask your midwife. Also, surestart children's centres might have useful info.

Are you planning to breast or bottle feed? A controversial question, but I've done it both ways so no judgement here!

I had no idea at all what to do - I had never changed a nappy before! It's a steep learning curve but your baby doesn't come with instructions. And provided you don't do anything really daft he won't care what you do. You'll be the most perfect being in the world to him - warmth, food and love.

You don't say where you are. If you let us know, you might find there's someone local to you who'll give you a little crash course into what to do.

Above all, these last few weeks will fly by - make sure you're enjoying them rather than worrying them away.

Dear JacobsMummy - it has nothing to do with being 19. I have a ten day old and will be 40 in ten days time and the midwives tell me that the teenaged mums they look after are far better at if than old birds like me, because you are more instinctive and don't over think stuff. You midwife or health visitor will show you the basics like nappy changing. Each day gets better - the long dark night of the soul becomes day.

Have you had a tour of your maternity hospital/unit? I felt the same as you but once I'd seen the maternity hospital and shown the rooms I felt much better. Like Buttonmoon says, labour is painful but worth it in the end.

I think my best advice would be that if you want an epidural make yourself very clear that you want one. I wasn't insistent enough and as a result they faffed about trying to talk me out of it until it was too late to get one anyway.

As for nappy changing, feeding etc, I think every new mum feels the same as you. Ask for help, don't feel like you have to prove anything. Your age is nothing to do with feeling useless - we ALL felt like that.

Enjoy your baby. x