Anxiety ruining my excitement

[erised24]

It's July 1st so am officially due this month but my excitement is just over taken by fear. I've fully prepared myself for the worst, am expecting baby not to sleep, not to breast feed properly, not to want to be put down, for my husband not being able to cope, have prepared myself for an awful birth too... It's just all overwhelming and I'm dreading baby arriving honestly which makes me feel terrible. Anyone else feel like this close to due date?

I’m only 21 weeks but I feel like this already... I’m finding it hard not to think the worst - did you have anxiety before pregnancy or has it just something that’s developed recently? Have you talked to anyone about how you’re feeling?

Yes, I've suffered with anxiety since I was a kid. Before becoming pregnant it was under control as I was on meds for it. I wanted this baby so badly but as soon as I found out I was pregnant, the anxiety took over and I've been struggling on and off with it through the pregnancy.

Honestly I have a really difficult time asking people for help or talking about how I feel. When my midwife asks how I'm feeling, my automatic response is "Yes, I feel great! :)" and I just can't verbalise my feelings.

It’s so hard and honestly no one can prepare for a baby, but I don’t mean that negatively. The sleep deprivation can be torture, breastfeeding is bloody hard work and there will be times when you and your husband clash, but these are all totally normal things and just come with the territory.

There will be moments when you think ‘what the hell have we done’ but they are normal followed by moments of overwhelming love and happiness. It’s hard but it’s worth it and as your baby gets older and more interactive it just gets better and better. As for the birth, try to think about it as just one day of your life, there is so much emphasis put on birth experience and I think it can cloud your excitement of pregnancy through sheer terror of what is coming. I was terrified, didn’t want to do it and thought about labour constantly but I did it, it bloody hurt and didn’t go at all to plan but that’s okay. Wishing you the best of luck☺️

Virtual hand hold. You’re going to be okay I promise. I was exactly the same in my first pregnancy and struggled with anxiety after the birth but it passed and you learn to live with the challenges whilst also embracing how bloody wonderful it is. The positives outweigh the hard bits. And it is hard but you will adapt.

Feel what you need to feel, remember that a lot of what you’re feeling isn’t based on any reality and just your own fears escalating. It can’t control you. Take the early days one day at a time and don’t try and force a routine on yourself or the baby. Some days will be crap but others better. The first six months are hardcore but my god the love you will feel will more than make up for that.

@erised24 I'm the same. Always suffered with anxiety and also have a really hard time verbalising how I feel... I had an appt today and said 'yeah I'm good' 🤦‍♀️when the truth is I'm struggling. Have you tried talking to any close family? Although I alps find that hard. We will both be ok even though it's really tough x