feeling utterly horrendous after health visit

[iamwhaticallpregnant]

Today i was visited by a health visitor for first time. Im 37 wks. She was very very nice but she asked so many questions about past depression and the baby that I am left feeling shattered.
After a long chat i feel like
-my diet isnt good enough for the baby
-my house isnt warm enough/ready for the baby
-i am not ready or prepared for the baby

I couldnt answer Qs like what sort of parent do you think you'll be, what will it be like when you bring the baby home.

I havent been to any classes or read any books or surrounded myself with a support network - i have no support network. I feel that she thinks i am being abused by my partner and that i am isolated. I completely broke down because i am struggling with the loss of all of my friends since getting pregnant and moving away. My normal confident bubbly self was nowhere to be seen.

I am left feeling like a bad mother.

Hey there Heyhoherewego - I am 30 and partner is 33 and I am a lecturer and we are moderately wealthy - well, certainly not disadvantaged in any way. I like the idea of a letter - but more as it will make me feel a bit better. I have the tendency to over dramatise situations - and I am sure we didn't come across as badly as I imagined we did. I am sure she must see a lot worse. It felt a bit like an interview for a job I really wanted and I hadnt prepared and came across really stupid! I feel a lot better now a couple of days later perhaps slightly less hormonal. and yes - a massive Mirander fan - such fun!

I completely agree with you. I think i was holding in a lot and it all came flooding out when she talked to me because i just don't have any other outlets at the moment. To be honest I probably could do with quite a bit of therapy after the last year! But then it was all compounded by the questions about motherhood that I then couldn't answer and then felt utterly clueless...and anxious....and depressed....and panicked! There was nothing at all wrong with the HV - I am sure she is very good at her job. I just felt so inadequate after the meeting. yes I am sure you are right about SS - hopefully she could see that i was otherwise ok. I am due in only 19 days. Not that I am counting. It is a boy and i can not wait.

A boy!
I have 2 boys and they are amazing (biased) :)
I had some really odd dreams prior to giving birth to ds1.
Am quite embarrassed about this one, but will share so you can see we all go a bit..erm..strange in the last days of pg! :)
I woke up crying one night...properly sobbing and dh hugged me and asked what was wrong and I told him about my dream...I dreamt that I had a little girl. Wonderful. I should point it at this stage that i am not a girly type at all and I can't do anything properly "girly" in fact.
in my dream social services came and took her away be because I couldn't do plaits. :(
I know.
But I was really shaken up for days :(
So.
Be kind to yourself x

I'm due in 20 days! Also a boy. I'm sure everything will be fine, everyone worries how they will cope.

I'm under consultant care and every other week the mw asks me about dv. I'm sure you didn't come across as badly as you think. As for the food my diet is always crap during pg due to the awful hg I get all day every day

agree with Badvoc - I have a boy too and I adore him! I had to grin about your dream - could have been mine. How is the OP doing?

I am alright thanks Chisle. I have been eating healthier and making an effort to wash and get dressed. And 19 days seem managable. I have calmed down a bit since visit and thanks to lovely messagesrealise its not as bad as once thought.

Just came back to see how you were doing, scanned today's messages and thought you'd had your boy. Really thought he was on his way yesterday.

19 days isn't really that long and you've done another day already

17 days ........
i am good thanks - apart from waiting waiting waiting.....

Definitely go to local support groups like if u plan to breast feed go to bf support group I've made such good friends there and they welcome pregnant mums and then it wont feel so daunting once lil one arrives. So wish I'd gone to these with my first baby as I was isolated then and needn't have been:-( try and stay positive I'm sure u wil be a great mum just give yourself a chance!!

thanks matty - I def will go to groups once the baby is here - I am 100% planning on breastfeeding so that's a good idea

just checking in.... hope you are much happier :)

I am thank you! Thanks for everything

That's great, OP.

I'm glad you sounding alot better!

just coming back to see how things are, iamwhaticallpregnant? has little one arrived?

Hi Chisle!! It is my due date today. Im so fed up. No sign of the bugger.

mmm.... I wonder what Sharni said
1 day over due now

Hi OP - just read the thread, a lot of what you've said resonates with me. You'll be okay. You'll feel tired and overwhelmed after the birth too but it's different then. Don't be shy about asking for help from the midwives in hospital - I'd never held a baby or changed a nappy before either! - I asked for help every time baby needed feeding. You have a supportive partner, you're looking forward to having a baby, it's hard work but you'll do a good job! Take any support you can get post natally because why not? Lots of new mums feel unprepared, perhaps most! You'll feel less lonely when you get out and about a bit to groups too. Hope you're feeling ok today.

Thanks threewheels - i feel ok and im very ready to tell them if they ask if i need help and mention depression as i feel i have been suffering from it through pregnancy. Id feel better if the baby would turn up. 2 days over now. Urgh.