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Pregnancy

People keep asking if I'm 'excited'...

28 replies

Skeppers · 28/04/2015 14:56

First-time mother to be here.

Whenever I tell people about being pregnant, the first thing a lot of them seem to say is, "Oooooh, are you excited!?"

The short answer is 'no'! I am happy and fascinated and looking forward to having baby, but I don't feel what I'd describe as 'excited'! People tend to look a bit taken aback when I tell them and I'm starting to think that there's something wrong with me. I'm not naturally maternal and don't get clucky around babies generally anyway; I think I'm thinking more about the birth and the practicalities and initial upheaval of such a monumental life-changing event more than anything.

Please tell me that this is a normal first-timer reaction? I think a lot of the people I've spoken to already have children so, for them, it's this amazing, exciting time because they know what's coming...rather than being preoccupied with buying car seats and prams and where to put the crib and having to repaint the house, and sort childcare and maternity pay, etc, etc. which all just feels like a bit of a pain in the arse at the moment, to be brutally honest!

Maybe I'll just start fibbing and gushing; "Oooooooh, yeeeessssss! SO SUPER excited!" instead?

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Justyouwaitandsee · 29/04/2015 12:10

Yup! I am now 40+1 and agree with everything said on this thread. I definitely think pregnancy is far more exciting for friends and relatives than it is for the person/couple dealing with the various delightful symptoms of nine months of pregnancy, preparing the house, buying endless amounts of baby stuff, trying to prepare for the unknowns of the birth and immediate aftermath as well as the changes which will occur to your life and relationship. Everyone else can just looking forward to buying cute clothes and cuddles!

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batfish · 29/04/2015 17:24

I hate being asked if I'm excited as I then end up giving the impression that I don't want my baby! I want it very much but I can hardly believe it's there so no I can't say I do feel excitement. Also I am under no illusions as to how much hard work it will be so I'm nervous about that more than anything! The thing that really makes me sound like a stone cold bitch is that I'm not even broody. Yes I'm pregnant with a planned and much wanted baby but I have never been desperate for a baby like some people are, I just knew that I would regret not having kids and as we are 33 & 34 we didn't want to leave it any later as we would like more than one.

I know that when my baby comes I will be mega excited and think it's amazing but I just can't imagine those feelings right now! All I have to compare to is how I feel about my dog (love her to pieces and can never be angry with her) but parents don't seem to like it when I compare being a parent to being a dog owner for some reason

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CrackingTheWhip · 29/04/2015 23:33

I'm 38 weeks and still wondering if I'll get that excited feeling!

It's daunting. I am terrified.

I'm like you and have no maternal feelings. Stick me in front of a kitten or geckos and I am fine but a baby? Not a sodding clue!

I'm sure it'll come though, my DP is very excited so I'm hoping that'll help me to get my head around all of this.