37 weeks and anxiety!

[Natedogg]

Hi everyone. I'm new to mumsnet, but just wanted to get some reassurance. I hope I don't offend anyone by writing this, but recently I've started to feel really anxious about whether I'll enjoy motherhood. I know that sounds incredibly selfish, especially after it took us a long time to conceive. If you told me I'd be pregnant a year ago I'd have been elated. It's just that now I look at other children, including my own nephew and think it looks so boring.
I just want to be able to enjoy it all, maybe that's unrealistic, but when I see my sister playing with her son in the park it looks so tedious I can't imagine how it could be fulfilling. I'm really worried that it's not normal to feel like this!! I'm definitely not depressed, but my head is constantly fluctuating between being really excited and worried I'm going to hate it! I hope some of you will be able to understand, and not think I'm a terrible person.

Sounds very normal! I don't particularly like other people's children but my DS is awesome! It can be tedious but generally they're brilliant!

It also took us a long time to conceive.. When I got closer to due date I started to panic. I love kids. But some days I cried because I thought I'm going to be horrible mother.

Now DS is 12 month and I adore him! It is not boring at all with. Trust me it will be different once your little one is born. You are just like everyone else, tired of being pregnant and it is the hormones as well..

I'm also pregnant with no2. 36 weeks. I'm exhausted.. I'm an emotional wreck this time. And I'm starting now already to think how I'm going to manage two kids under 2 years old.. That I can only answer once baby is born

Congrats on your pregnancy and good luck

I wrote a post exactly like yours when heavily pg with my first, I spent the whole pregnancy convinced i'd made a terrible mistake... Spending time with my young nephews and nieces only made me more worried too!

But it's true what people say, it is completely different when it's your own, I'm not that interested in other people's children, never have been.

Tbh I don't find going to the park all that exciting either!

But my dc are amazing and I would dearly love a third one day. Motherhood is not easy but it is wonderful in so many ways.

I think it is really normal to feel the way you do- your life is about to change and at the moment it's like stepping into the unknown.. I found that when my dd was born I had this weird feeling like 'oh it's you - if I'd known it was you all along in there I wouldn't have been so worried!'

Good luck and congratulations on your pregnancy.

I hated and still hate other peoples children. They are so boring and badly brought up often which drives me nuts, I was so worried Id be a bad mother.
But when its your baby, its completely different dont worry.

I felt like you too, I was so scared I wouldn't love my baby as much as I love my labrador and I didn't know how to tell my husband !

Dont look around you too much and over think it all, because its so hard to imagine how its going to before it happens. Having your own baby is incredible, dont worry, enjoy the rest of your pregnancy, you will be the best mum ever :) xx

Before I fell pg I used to look at families out at the pub for sunday lunch or in cafes and think "oh god, im never going to enjoy going out with a little one and having my attention split or dragged around" and you know what? DD is a little dream. She is a joy to take places, I find her interesting and funny and entertaining and I love that I have the pleasure of her company every single day.

Mother Nature just makes us enjoy it.

Dont get me wrong there are days when I count down to bedtime but they are few and far between.

Thank you all so much!! It's so reassuring to hear. Thought I was going a bit mad. I really appreciate hearing your experiences - they've definitely made me feel a bit calmer. I think you're definitely right about not over thinking it, need to put my brain brakes on!

Normal!

When I was pregnant, I went to a toddler group with my sister and nephew. I went home and cried...

When you have your own, it is totally different, I promise.

Yes you will find you own child infinitely more adorable, interesting, magical etc than others people's children. I would avoid spending time with other people's kids because it is offputting and scary and being with your own is completely different. The park is however the most boring place in the world next to softplay. Try and go with other mums as much as poss so you have someone to chat too. Enjoy the rest of your preg and look forward to little one coming. I promise you will love it!