Is this loopy or normal pre-birth nerves?

[BettyBi0]

I'm currently pregnant with our first baby and due to some ongoing back problems I'm due for a planned c-section on in less than 2 weeks when I'll be 37+6 .

I've got a horrible sense of dread and foreboding about it. I know it sounds bonkers but I've got this unshakeable feeling I might be one if those women who actually die in childbirth.

So at the moment I'm making a list of all the stuff I need to sort out just in case; checking life insurance, sorting out my paperwork, clearing out any embarrassing personal stuff I wouldn't want my family to see when they are going through my things if I die.

I'm not actually getting on with any of these things mind or doing any of the nesting I really need to do before the birth. My house is in absolute chaos and nothing is actually ready for the baby's first night at home. I'm just laying in bed most days obsessing that I'm about to die and leave my partner all alone to cope with our baby.

This all sounds ridiculously over dramatic and silly I know but I just keep returning to the same negative thoughts.

Does this happen to anyone else at the end of pregnancy?

Is it just hormones or am I going loopy?

I was exactly the same with DD, who was born 5 months ago and she is my 3rd baby. I was convinced I was going to die and spent the last few weeks saying a silent goodbye to my 5 year old DS and my 20 year old DD. I said that silent goodbye to my husband and worried that he would not cope.

I even posted a thread on here about it (I'm sorry, I don't know how to find it or link it!!)

It's perfectly normal to feel this way. The main responses of the thread said that although it is possible, it is very unlikely in this day and age that anything will happen to you.

I had a horrid labour with my DD getting stuck, but I am very much here to tell the tale....and DD is quite possibly the loveliest thing I have ever seen!!

Hormones are a pain, aren't they?!

Try and stop worrying (easier said than done, I know) and good luck

I felt exactly the same,especially on the morning of my section when I got to hospital,I was pretty much convinced it was all going to go wrong and was terrified. Everything went perfectly and I've had the dream recovery so far - I'm sure it'll be the same for you. Good luck :-)

I felt the same in the moments before my emergency cs. I cried with relief that I was still alive after. For me, the operating theatre scared me. Especially the amount of people suddenly there after being with 2 midwives for labour.
But with both dcs I have wanted to write a goodbye letter before birth just in case. Never did & haven't needed it yet! Must be hormones & it is one of the most life changing things you can do, so all natural. Good luck, I'm sure it will all be fine.

Phew! I'm so glad I'm not the only hormonal fruit loop. ...still going to check my insurance though

Do you think it is nature's way of making mothers prepare for the baby's arrival?

I'm usually a terrible procrastinator and need a deadline to make me pull my finger out.

I can relate OP - I think just before you're due to give birth nature lends you a massive dose of protective feelings towards baby and somehow for me that translates into a massive fear I'll leave my baby and family to cope without me.I think it's preparation for the responsibility we're about to have for our little baby.

it's CS no.3 for me in 6 weeks and I have the same fear i've had both times.they really,really look after you in theatre, monitor everything and understand how nervous most women feel.try to share your fears with your partner and let him Support you.in the weeks before a CS its DH's job to keep telling me I'll be fine and he'll make sure nothing bad happens.just keep visualising that gorgeous baby you're about to get!

Just hormones and a fear of the unknown.
I said to the surgeon before my first c section if I don't wake up please phone my mum as other half will never cope with the baby .
The surgeon just laughed and said don't be silly I'm the best in the buisness.
I wasn't even getting put to sleep so I don't know why I said it.
I had a great c section a perfect recovery and I'm booked in to do it all again in 6 weeks.
I'm sure I will get the pre op jitters again but that is all it is jitters.
Ps other half had baby dressed, fed and rocked to sleep before I was even sown up so maybe I did underestimate his ability

Totally normal, I was terrified as well. Can you talk to somebody, midwife or in antenatal class? I had a heart to heart with my midwife, she gave me some aromatherapy oils (placebo is a great healer...) and I was eventually able to calm down and focus.

I also had Plan A, B, C and D in place and dh went along with everything, no matter how irrational, which was very reassuring.

Absolutely normal. It is often said that having your first baby makes you suddenly aware of mortality. A strange phenomenon really but I certainly went through it.

I am 38 wks with no 2... I am going through all scenarios and horrific outcomes. I am terrified something awful will happen. I felt the same last time. I think it's normal but scary. I don't think I thought about it when I was in labour as too busy but remember breathing a sigh of relief afterwards that we were both alive.

As hoho said I became aware of my mortality with DD 1 and for abling time after was scared of dying and certainly think about it more even when not pregnant.