Feeling unprepared

[NS1988]

Due in just over a week, no sign of baby’s arrival yet. Have this feeling of anxiety about after the baby arrives, looking after, feeding and generally knowing what to do. I’ll be a FTM and worried that when they send my partner home and it’s me and baby I just feel unprepared about knowing what to do, when to feed, how often etc. Are the midwives generally supportive of first time mums? And is there anyone who can just give me a bit of an insight as to the first 24hours once baby arrives which can hopefully make me feel a bit more relaxed about it?

Have you done any parent education classes? If not there are some you can book onto online which would really be worth doing. A lot of it is instinct and midwives should be there to help but can be very busy at times. Somethings I wish I would have known before I had my DD were that the bleeding after giving birth can be really heavy (come prepared with plenty of sanitary towels), also that newborn babies in first few days don’t always cry/wake when they need feeding. Set a timer for 3 hourly to at least try offer a feed (they can be really sleepy). Also on feeding if you want to BF try and have first feed within an hour of birth as this is when baby’s natural instinct for breastfeeding is really high. Good luck!

thepositivebirthcompany.co.uk/postpartum-pack

@SlothMamaToBe thanks for the tips, probably just anxiety of the unknown and I’m overthinking things. Have you done that course? And if so was it any good?

No prob. Normal to have some anxiety I think! I haven’t done the course but have heard good things. There are other similar ones online too.

Will look into it. Thank you

I think you're at peak anxiety point right now. The 'What to Expect' books are good practical guides. You could just read the first chapter to put your mind at rest. In the first 24hrs will the baby will sleep most of the time and need feeding at least every 3hours. It'll need a handful of clean nappies but those changes will be kinda obvious. Ask the midwife to help you with the first one. One step at a time! I knew nothing and hasn't prepared at all. Luckily my boyfriend had read the book!