Feeling of impending doom... can't shake the feeling!

[KatyCustard]

Am in need of a kick up the backside some Mumsnet wisdom!

I'm 36+2 with DC2 and am now on leave from work. I'd been leaving lots of jobs till now (like getting the junk room turned into nursery, crib down from attic etc.) but forgotten about the sheer exhaustion felt at this stage and now find it all a bit overwhelming.

The thing is, I just can't quite belive this is really happening, and happening soon! We tried for two years for this baby and our daughter is 7 and a half, so her being a baby feels like a long time ago. There is no reason at all to think that anything will go wrong at this stage but I am just so terrified that it will, and I don't remember feeling like that last time. I wish I could just enjoy this bit, baby is nice and squirmy (with the odd big kick when s/he can find the room!) I'm about as uncomfortable/tired/emotional as I should be at this stage which is probably not helping!

Sorry for the ramble, just wondering if anyone else has felt this horrible feeling of doom that they just can't shake?

First of all, forget about the jobs for now. Get some rest and you may be ready to attack them next week - and leave the heavy lifting to someone else! Write a list of all the bits you need to achieve - small jobs and bit jobs, because hopefully you can get some bits and pieces done (making appointments, ordering bits and pieces online, bills and other paperwork) without the need to move much.

Secondly, it's much easier second time round as you know what to expect. I understand the feeling that something will go wrong - it took me a long time to get pregnant with DD2 and a couple of miscarriages along the way, but by the time I was in labour, I just had the feeling that I needed to get on with it. This time round, I have the same fears, but I'm just trying to ignore them until the big day - hoping things work out the same as last time in terms of labour and delivery because either way, I can't do anything about it! Getting some rest this week will also help to shift some of your negative feelings - things always seem so much worse when you're tired.

hi Katy. I am in the same boat as you, DD will be 6 and a half when this baby is born.

I keep flitting between worrying over the baby intensely and not wanting it to come and spoil our perfect little family of three with DD! Weird because I tried for ages to get pregnant (was stressed in old job) and was so overjoyed when we found out.

I am also having horrid visions of accidents and losing DH - cant wait for all this to stop as it should be a happy time!

Glad it's not just me Changing ! I have been having horrible visions too, like yesterday when DH drove DD to school I cried as I waved them off convinced it was the last time I'd see them!

Pecanpie thank you for your wise words. I have to keep reminding myself to take it easy, as I do tend to do too much in one day! But I'm beginning to adjust to not working. I'm used to having to cram everything in to my day off! It's taken me 3 days to get throught the laundry this week, but who cares?!

Thanks guys I feel loads better now

All your feelings are totally understandable! I'm pregnant with no.4 and had my first two close'ish together, (2yr gap) then had a 10yr gap before meeting DH2 and having baby 3! (Baby 3 is now 19mths and I'm about to have 4th and last in a couple of wks'ish.) I found I had lots of "what am I doing?" type feelings before having DD3 and certainly was far more exhausted than I ever remember being with my first two!
Have to say having DD3 was a bit of a shock to the system as nature has a v cruel way of making you forget the hard bits like the trying to establish breastfeeding and the sleep deprivation! Also, having two other much older Daughters it took a bit of deciding on to have a 3rd, though that all said, it obviously worked for us, (as I'm now having no.4!) and as soon as you adjust and they start sleeping abit you can't imagine your family without them and it all seems so natural and comfortable. :) (I wouldn't have it any other way!) :)
Good luck with your last few weeks! x