38 weeks - struggling with emotions

[Dogt17]

Not quite sure why I’m writing this. Maybe to get it off my chest, maybe some advice, maybe for a kick up the arse? I’m 38+4 and just can’t get things ready/sorted for my second baby arriving. I’ve been fine throughout the whole pregnancy and within the last week or 2 I’ve just got more & more overwhelmed. These last 2 days I have been/felt awful. I keep getting angry, crying, shouting. I’ve got no patience at all. I’ve still not packed my hospital bag, it sounds so stupid as I know I need to do it but it makes me just want to cry. I just don’t feel mentally or physically ready for this baby yet. I’ve been trying to get things ready & organised over the last 2 weeks, as well as attend several doctors, midwife & hospital appointments. I’ve been so busy but I still have nothing ready! I have already cried about 5 times this morning, I’ve screamed and shouted several time’s this morning. I also feel so sick & like I’ve got a lump in my throat which I think could be anxiety. My DC1 came a week early so I know I could literally go into labour at any point and I’ve not washed any the baby’s clothes/blankets/bedding etc, packed our hospital bags, set up the crib. I want to do these things but it’s all just too overwhelming and emotional so I keep putting it off

Are you still with your baby's father? Can he help you get things in order? You know you don't have much time left but these feelings are almost certainly down to hormones. Can you do one thing a day so it seems less overwhelming? Maybe wash a few clothes and blankets today, set up the crib another time? I understand why you might be feeling this way - totally - but you need some practical and emotional help here.

Might help to write out a list then you can physically see what you have to do and tick each one off one by one.
Sometimes when it's all just in your head it feels jumbled and overwhelming but when you have it on paper and you can cross it off it can feel easier to deal with and not as scary xx

Hi @Dogt17

I'm 38 weeks too and can relate to some of the anxiety you're feeling, I have had success with preparing slowly over the last few weeks. I think its a good bit to do with hormones. I also think you're experiencing a stress response and going into fight ,flight or freeze. In this case looks like your 'frozen' and can't get yourself to do any of the things you need to do to prepare. Then you feel guilty and are blaming yourself which ends up making it even harder to do anything.

Taking it one small task at a time might help as the other poster suggested. If you find this too overwhelming you need to ask someone to help you this could be a partner, or a friend and I also advise you to consider talking to midwife about the anxiety you've been experiencing for emotional support

Thank you for all your replies. I’ve gave my self a bit of a shake and felt better this afternoon. I’ve done all our laundry today & changed bedding so that I don’t have to worry about that this week coming up. I’ve put my order through for my next weekly shop. I got my partner to go take my car to be cleaned inside & out and filled with petrol ready for getting to the hospital. So this next week should hopefully run smoothly and be ok if I do happen to go into labour. Once DC1 is asleep tonight I’m going to pack my hospital bag. Then tomorrow I am going to wash the essential things for the baby, wash the car seat (it was used for my DC1) & hopefully if everything is dried later on in the day I can get the car seat in the car & pack the baby’s hospital bag. There’s still plenty that needs doing like the crib, washing bedding, sorting out the pram. But at least the most important things will be ready for his arrival and now I’m prepared for next week I can do the rest over the next few days 😊