Mixed feelings: First time pregnancy!

[Habits19]

Hi everyone,
I'm 19 and I found out that I'm pregnant for the first time a couple of days ago.
I've been experiencing certain symptoms (vomiting and smoking less etc.) but I didn't think anything of it. I've had problems with my stomach in the past and I took a pregnancy test that came back negative.
It wasn't until a close friend told me to take another test that I found out that I'm pregnant.
I'm feeling quite up and down about the whole situation, one minute I'm excited and the next I'm terrified. I think my biggest fear is worrying about what other people think. (Even though deep down I know that their opinions don't really matter.)
I don't exactly look like mother material and I know that people will be seriously doubting my ability to bring up a child.
It's not that I'm not naturally caring, I'm just not good at showing my emotions and I feel like there's an expectation for me to look/act a certain way now that I'm pregnant.
I will most likely be raising this child alone, with the help of my friend because the father isn't around. And that scares me because I don't have any other children.
I suppose I'm still in shock and I need someone to tell me that it's all gunna be alright haha

No one is ever prepared to be a parent, and some of the apparently "maternal" types will find it harder than those that aren't. What other people think about it is not your problem, as long as you are meeting your baby's needs.

For now, don't worry about the future. Enjoy being pregnant, concentrate on looking after yourself (eg quit smoking if you can, take folic acid) and don't feel that you need to change who you are because you're pregnant.

Absolutely, be you. Being an individual is a great example to set for a child.
And BTW i used to be a lead midwife for mums under 20 and some of them did a better job of adapting to parenthood than some of my older mums!!

Hello op, I'm a first time mum, nearly 39 weeks pregnant, and I think when I was your age I didn't want kids. I am 35 years old and the least maternal person ever. I can't stand all that "bundle of joy" "precious angel" "pregnancy is a magical time" stuff and I haven't had the greatest pregnancy either, but I am really looking forward to my baby arriving and bringing him/her up my way as an individual and seeing what kind of person Huey turn into. I'll be honest, there is a lot of judging of Mums whatever their age and whatever they're into but the people that really matter to you should support you whatever you decide to do.

You will find your groove as a Mum, just try to learn as much as you can before baby arrives and above all enjoy it. I don't know about "magical" but being pregnant is a pretty crazy and unique experience so good luck with it all and congratulations!

You will do fine. Im about to become a single mum to 3 at 23.....you might get funny looks or the odd comment but you just ignore it. Nothing matters much except your baby! And be individual, be you! You will be happy being you and babywill learn that they can be themselves and be happy and dont have to be a sheep! Baaa.....

Hi Habits19, I don't think you have to worry about how you will be with your baby - you can tell just from your post that you are a thoughtful, caring person and that has to be the most important thing. I think surprise pregnancies are always hard. I'm 30 and married, but I spent the first week after I found out about my unplanned pregnancy in shock. Just take it one day at a time and, most importantly, put your (and your baby's) health and well being above everything else and do whatever you need to do to look after yourself. Nothing else matters right now.

p.s. Especially not the judgment of people who are stupid enough to judge you!

Hi OP, you will be fine

I was 19 when I had my first, and yeah, its hard but a new baby is hard at any age! Don't worry about how you look, in my experience no one cares about you being 19 as long as you and your baby are happy

OP, top secret info here: We are all totally faking it. None of us have a bloody clue what we're doing!

I'm expecting my first at 37, and I don't feel any more like I know what I'm doing than I did at 19. And I'm really not the "motherly" type either, at all. You'll be absolutely fine. :)

My mum had me at 19 and she is without a doubt the best mum in the world.

I am 30 and am 6 weeks in to expecting my first, we were trying for 8 months and yet i am still bricking it.

Don't worry you will be fine everyone no matter what age will be going through the same thoughts/feelings its just some people hide it better than others, best thing to do is relax everything will fall into palce in the end.

lol! sinai is right! we just make it up as we go along and hope for the best! if you go off my track record with hamsters then im doing well just to have my kids alive! as for being maternal...I thought I was until I realised half of the time I want to scream!