37 weeks - overwhelmed

[Babycakes1989]

Hi Ladies😊

Just wanted to have a little chat with anyone in the same boat or who can relate! I’m 37 weeks and I finished work last Friday - today has been my first day of mat leave. This is my first baby (I had a mmc last year don’t know if this contributes to my feelings). I’m feeling rather strange if I’m honest - everything feels very surreal! I go from being really excited and positive & then from being worried, anxious and quite frankly scared about him arriving. Not so much for what happens after he arrives but just him getting here safe. I’ve had anxiety throughout this pregnancy. So many different emotions and things to think about - I can’t seem to relax 😂 is this normal in the weeks leading up to the big event? Xx

Also 37 weeks here! It's my second but my first came at 34 weeks so I'm relieved to have made it to full term this time, feels a bit like living in limbo.

I did hypnobirthing with my first and have done this again which has helped a lot as I also have general anxiety around it all. It's such a big change it's totally normal to feel out of sorts, especially st this point when you have no idea if they will arrive tomorrow or in 5 weeks!

Currently 40+2 today and I've found the hypnobirthing course from The Positive Birth Company really helpful for making me feel relaxed around the whole birth experience ☺️ it's a digital download with videos you watch.

Completely understand

I'm 40+3 and so anxious! One minute I feel so ready and prepared and relaxed and excited to have my baby here, the next I'm overthinking every little thing that I could possible do wrong and wonder if I'm going to be a good enough mom; am I going to cope well?

It's so tricky, I think part of it is hormone related but I'm deffo overthinking it, and being on maternity gives so much more time to overthink it!

Try to do things in the day to distract you and spend your time brushing up on any info you're not sure about to help you feel more prepared about it, and hopefully it might take away those anxious thoughts, xxx

Thanks ladies! I have read a hypno birthing book. I know staying relaxed and calm is very important. Maybe now I’ve finished work and have more time I can focus on doing some meditation daily and listen to a track or something to get me prepared! X

Thanks Kaiser! I do have plenty to be getting on with it’s which is good Infact I have a long list! It’s just when I sit down for 5 minute I find my mind runs away with me a bit! Must try and relax! It is nice to know I’m not alone so thank you x

I’ve had three. I do think that (with your first especially) when you switch off from work it suddenly becomes very real and this can be a trigger for anxiety as it is suddenly your life now (without the normality of work to distract). It’s normal to be worried about a big change, especially one that involves something you’ve never done before (labour and looking after your own child). Now is a good time to focus on readiness for the birth - lots of positive birth stories can help with this (try Ina May gaskin) and looking after yourself x

Thank you I will give that a try! Positive Birth stories do make me feel excited and I enjoy reading them xx

It is normal to feel anxious about your new arrival and you have just finished at work so it's almost as if it's sunk in for you. However I would recommend ringing your midwife because the body has a funny way of telling us things sometimes and she may like to check you or put your mind at rest.

@babycakes1989,

Totally normal, I was a bit like that with my first....this time (I'm 35 weeks) I'm a bit more relaxed but still feel overwhelmed and like I've forgotten something! I also had a mc last year, so have focused a lot on pregnancy - rather then thinking about having a baby again!
Luckily DS is starting school this week so prep for the tis keeping me busy, and I'm still working ft for another 2 weeks.
As others have said, my advice would be listen to a hypnobirthing track everyday....I love the Katherine greeves ones as they send me to sleep! Watch lots of funny boxsets...I'd recommend Ina May's book on childbirth (the one with baby on the front) the first section is all positive birth stories, and they're edited better then crazy stuff you might find online!

Thanks Sian! Another good review on ina May - I’m gunna do my research later! And yes box sets are always a good one! I do love a binge!

ratbagratty - thanks for the advice! I am already being closely monitored by the midwives for high bmi (although I’ve lost a stone this pregnancy so pretty chuffed!) and I had a scan a few days ago along with another next week because he’s measuring slightly smaller so I’m in good hands 😚 I have also said about my anxiety before so they always ask how I’m doing xx