38 weeks and getting nervous! Anyone in the same boat??

[redz]

Hi all,

Im now 38 weeks PG with my first. Havent been nervous or scared throughout entire pregnancy. When people asked are you scared? my reply would always be "nope! just want it out" Now as the day draws nearer Im getting really nervous and think it makes it worst that you just dont know when its going to happen!.
Any twinges I get I think is this the day? but no.
Anyone felling the same way as me? Or anyone just given birth that can give some supporting words??
Think its because Im now on maternity leave and have nothing else to think about!

I'm 38 weeks too with 2nd baby and know how you feel. Why don't you join us on the antenatl thread 'due in September 2006'?

here

Thanks Compo, Im still fairly new on this site and still working out were to look. I'll go on therex

no problem, we're a nice friendly bunch

Hi! All
I'm 37 weeks with number 2 and quite nervous cos the baby still breach and don't want a c-section. Especially since my first is only 16 months. Also my first was born at 38 wks so i guess it could be any time.

Hi all,

I am 38+1 with my first and absolutely petrified!! I have been watching babys birthday on living tv and i am sure i have made myself feel worse!! I don't think its the pain that I am worried about...more worried about not knowing what to expect!!

I remember feeling exactly this way. In fact at about 38 weeks, once I was on Mat Leave and had time to think properly, I had a day when I absolutely didn't want the baby, wanted to turn the clock back and really regretted getting pg. Needless to say I gave myself a strict talking to. This was 3.5 years ago and I remember it clearly.
All I can say is I think it's perfectly normal and understandable. Good luck, won't be long now.

With ds1 (now 9)i was a nervous wreck for the last few weeks of pregnancy. I too watched labours on tv and asked people about their experiences and found it made me feel even worse. In the end though apart from being in labour for 21hrs it was nowhere near as bad as i expected. Yes it did hurt-a lot-but all you have to remember is that at the end you will have a gorgeous baby!!
I was nervous again with ds2 even though i knew i had a rough idea what to expect, i think its natural to worry. Just keep thinking of the end result Good Luck!

Hello redz, I'm also 38 weeks with my second. I'm getting twinges all the time and just wish things would get going. Don't be worried, despite the pain it is such an amazing experience - I cant wait for it to happen again!

Hi im 39 wks and im brickin it!! Due monday, had BH last two weeks and a show also.. it's the not knowing when and where that's doing my head in.. obvously really excited to.. x

OLA
Am 38+4 with 1st. Had v healthy pregnancy but now worry constantly that she will be stillborn and/or I will damage her accidentally during labour. Planning to labour at a Birthing Centre which is midwife-run ... now worrying that my selfish desire to have a positive birth experience may have bad impact on baby.

Know that it is rare to 'lose' a baby at this stage ... but freaking about heartrate dropping etc.

Is it normal to be so paranoid?

I don;t care about the pain ... I just want her safe and in my arms.

Hello! I too am pregnant with my first but I'm 10 weeks behind you! I've been feeling really anxious but someone suggested that I read this and I put it down thinking 'bring it on!' Absolutely fab.

Hi redz,
I know exactly how you feel although I am much further behind than you, I am only 30 weeks. This is my 2nd pregnancy, I had such an awful time labouring with DD that i woke up this morning in a complete panic. Although it had crossed my mind before about having to give birth again this morning it seems to have nocked me for 6 and I am absolutely terrified

clemsterdarcy, it is completely normal. I didn't have those thoughts so much while I was pregnant with DD but from the moment I fell pregnant this time I have heard so many stories about still births that I am terrified of the thought.

Hi All,
Glad to know im not the only one. Im 39+1 now. Still really nervous but having really bad dreams dont even want to mention them but theyre really frightening, mostly things going wrong.
I've git everything for the baby clothes cot pram etc and Im now beginning to think was I too hasty? should I have waited till baby was born.
This is just too much
And ro make matters worst everyone I know that was due after me has had their babys already! whats that about!

It's very natural. Talk about the dreams, get them off your chest, release the fears. Very likely you will be able to look at them again and accept that they're not likely to happen. As you say, you're on mat leave so have the time to think about all sorts of things that were brushed aside (or rationalised away) earlier.

At this stage your sleep can get so disturbed by your big belly, racing mind, surging hormones, that you do get the weirdest dreams, and the lack of sleep can distort your judgement too.

When labour begins you will go with the flow. Nothing else will matter, your body will get on with it and your mind's job will be to help your body. Right now you're probably still in the 'modern' mindset of being in control of your life, and one of the mentally hardest things about labour is accepting that you will not be in control, and that your body knows better than you what to do.

You're so right -- poor sleep is affecting both by judgement and emotional vulnerabilities. As for dreams ... I dreamt I put her in the washing machine to make sure she was clean and only once I'd closed the door did I realise what would actually happen ...!

Like many of you, I also feel that buying stuff, sorting nursery etc is tempting the worst to happen ... guess thousands of babies are born every hour ... safely and in the best of health!