Due next week and feeling anxious

[bellerous]

I'm due on Tuesday and for the last few weeks I've been feeling more and more nervous about becoming a mum. I'm also really scared about labour but it's more being a mum I'm scared of. I was so excited before but I don't feel excited anymore I just feel scared.

I'm worried I won't know what I'm doing, that it won't come naturally to me and that I won't bond with my baby.

I feel awful for even saying that and it makes me worry that I'm going to get postnatal depression.

Can anyone relate to this? Did you feel differently once your baby was born?

Totally normal way to feel! Myself and the other mums I met at antenatal classes felt exactly the same way - no correlation with PND as far as I've seen.

Oh, and we all bonded fine with the babies and we all figured out what to do, it's amazing how natural it feels very quickly once your baby arrives :)

I don't have any advice but I'm due on Saturday and could have written this post.
You're not alone and I'm sure it's completely normal once baby is in you're arms you'll be a complete natural z

Gosh yes I felt exactly the same! I think it would be strange NOT to feel this way with your first. I had never even changed a nappy till DS was born. I'm now 38 weeks pregnant with second baby and am worried that I've forgotten what to do with a newborn!

It does all fall into place, to an extent - obviously it's terrifying a bit scary but you just sort of muddle through each day, and then one day you realise it's been 6 months and you're an old pro. I think it's good to be aware of the possibility of PND though (and that your husband/partner is too) then if it does happen, you can ask for help to deal with it.

Oh, and labour is fine - if I can do it anyone can. It's daunting but you'll get through it. Best of luck to you

Hi op.

Im expecting my 6th dc. My oldest is 24!

I was terrified before he was born. I was scared I wouldn't know what to do. I'd never even held a baby. It was fine...

Even now I get a bit scared. Now im scared im too old or I won't be able to look after all the dc.

I think its actually normal to feel nervous & scared when your about to experience a life changing event. I bet you will be a fantastic mum!

Take care of yourself.

Totally normal! About a week before I was due I had a big meltdown that I just couldn't be a good mum to this baby.

I've done a good job with my 13yo DS so far, but had a huge crisis of confidence!

DD is now 8 weeks and none of those feelings returned, and we had a rough time in her first couple of weeks.

It's just your hormones keeping you on your toes. You'll do a great job, I'm sure, and if you feel you're struggling, you'll find help, from your DP, MW or HV. The fact you're posting shows this!

Thanks everyone it's definitely reassuring to hear I'm not alone in how I'm feeling.

I guess I was just surprised to go from feeling so excited to so nervous but being pregnant I know emotions and hormones are all over the place.

Feeling anxious is partially caused by the change in hormones that lead up to birth. Same reason for the really odd, restless dreams. It is believed this makes the mother more sensitive also in a good way, to respond more to the needs of a tiny, helpless baby, because even if getting up 10 times a night to check that the baby is still breathing is hugely tiring, it serves an evolutionary purpose of improving the baby's chances of survival.Despite living in 21st century our body's biology is still very basic, and the mammal in you is taking over.