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Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

First time mum - Having a meltdown

8 replies

AutumnMango · 13/09/2022 16:52

I am a first-time mum and I am lost.

I am completely off my food approx 7 weeks pregnant and I haven't got a clue about motherhood other than this baby is coming from my vagina in 8 months.

I am not what one would consider a natural mother I never understood what that ever meant 'natural mother'. I've always been terrified to hold newborns they look so fragile. I'm terrified tbh.

I'm still very early and struggled to accept I was pregnant I think it's me feeling out of my depth and lack of control of what the next 8 months will look like for me. Career-focused 38 and knowing if I want to have a child the time is now then the time is here and I'm struggling to breathe 7 pregnancy tests later.

I'm sensible enough to do a referral to a hospital of my choice and now have a midwife who can't spell my name correctly. I have an emergency scan tomorrow as I had bleeding yesterday and feel nauseous, not sick, shivering, and feeling like a zombie.

My mental health has been up and down, better this week. I started looking at buggies and a migraine arrived which reminded me I am very much out of my depth.

What should I be doing right now? Any tips?
Send Help!

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New2Mumming · 13/09/2022 18:15

Hey OP!

(I've ended up writing toooo much, pick and choose, just want to reassure you!)

I'm expecting my first too!
I'm in third trimester, and I'd say first trimester was most difficult - that's how I realised I was pregnant - felt hungover and moody for a while haha

I'd say it's pretty fair and reasonable that you feel out of your depth - having a baby is a big deal! But in a good way. I've started reframing my freakouts about "losing my identity" or "changing identity" to adding to and enriching my identity.

Who cares if you don't feel good with others' newborns?! You didn't spend 9 months with them, feeling their little twists and turns. And they don't all look or smell that nice. But yours will smell the best and look the best and all its little noises will be very cute and important and groundbreaking ;) This is a new little person that the world hasn't seen before, and you have the wonderful role of bringing them safely to the world.

Food: It'll come back. For me I got really into cold soups as I was so thirsty through the summer. Maybe once you're back on food you can find something special as a pregnancy delicacy that you'll enjoy cooking to nourish yourself and baby?

Coming out of your vagina... lol yes not the nicest thing to look forward to! BUT that's partly why you have one. I follow a few doulas on Instagram, - the naked doula and egg hypnobirthing, sure there are more. They help me reconsider what birth is and the process. Who knows how each of us react till we're in labour, but why not go for the positive and stay calm with these women guiding us - they have so much more experience than we do. We were all born weren't we? Women are strong and you got to embrace that and be proud.

Before I knew I was pregnant I was having a bit of bleeding too, please stay calm, as far as I can tell that just happens. Once when I was about ten weeks i had the most excrutiating pain in my side followed immediately by a burst of blood, and since then have been fine. Apparently it's round ligament pain. Maybe uterus getting used to it all.

Of course I'm only speaking from my limited experience, and for sickness and bleeding your midwife and doctor can help you, make the most of them.

Yep I get you with the not spelling your name thing - my husband go to the point of printing me business cards for my hospital visits so I can hand them over instead of speaking through covid barriers to spell my name, hospital number, EDD etc. My first hospital was all paper based - soooo inefficient, the midwife wasn't up to date at all, now my new hospital uses an app, way better. Just so you know you're not alone and yes it's frustrating!!!

What helps you through stress and anxiety? When I'm down and spiralling I let it all out on paper/typing, write down every awful thing I'm thinking and how awful I think all the people around me are. I add and add, no holds barred and feel sorry for myself. There's no aspirin for a mood like that. Then the next day when it's passed, I insist on reading it again and see how much of it must've been a panic or hormonal. I can then refer myself back to that clarity the next time I feel down and spiral, to reassure myself it'll pass and it's hormones. Does that make sense? It helps me catch myself. But if the downward slope goes too far probably that isn't such a good idea... again always be open with your medical team, they will take you seriously.

I think for all us expectant mums and partners we need to prepare for the event we get severe baby blues/PND because you never know who it'll strike, at least equip yourself to work on it as quickly as possible.

The light at the end of the tunnel will come, and I don't mean waiting nine months - hopefully second trimester! You'll find a new lease of energy.

TAKE CARE!!!!! You got this

tealandteal · 13/09/2022 18:32

I have a 5 year old and and three month old and the thought of holding someone else’s newborn brings me out in a cold sweat. Especially the moment when you pass them over. There is something about your own baby.

Having a baby is hard because it is a loss of control, a change of direction and the unknown. Even just having such a long period of time of work is hard to comprehend. For me it helped to focus on the things I could control, to get the hospital bag prepped etc and to go over with my husband what I wanted in birth so he could advocate for me if needed- it is important to understand that birth doesn’t always follow a plan but you can decide on whether you would prefer delayed cord clamping for example, or what pain relief you may wish for.

You are also entities to ask for an elective c section. I have had two vaginal births using a tens machine and would recommend this.

unicormb · 13/09/2022 18:33

You spent the first two years or so scared shitless, but that does recede over time.

bogoblin · 13/09/2022 18:46

First trimester = survival! WIFT - whatever it fucking takes!

I have never been especially maternal nor a natural mother and I do not like other people's children - but mine? I have a 2 year old and another due imminently, and I LOVE mine! He's a total joy and a huge pain in the arse, etcetera, etcetera. I know where mine has been, I don't know where other gross children have been! I sound horrible but it's 100% different when it's your own child.

Right now your body is going through such a massive upheaval and all you really need to do is take it one step at a time, and be kind to yourself! Pregnancy is so hard on a woman.

I wouldn't start worrying about buggies and whatnot yet, plenty of time for that. For now, rest where you can, find out what foods ease your sickness - for me this time it was nibbling carbs throughout the day, the first time it was run downstairs for a ham and cheese toastie at between 9.50 and 10.10 exactly! - and make sure you stay hydrated! Being properly hydrated when pregnant solves a multitude of sins.

Take care! Congrats x

AutumnMango · 13/09/2022 19:58

@New2Mumming your message was beautiful made me both laugh and cry because I feel very seen. It has felt lonely and isolating and everything you mentioned about identity has been a big struggle for me. I'm crying writing this because for the first time in 2 weeks I have been able to speak honestly and freely and feel heard and understood. This first trimester is kicking my ass. I love or should I say loved Lebonese food I had two bites this afternoon having proudly dragged myself to get it and cried because losing my appetite is offending my soul lol. I have to eat to build energy but rejecting my fav dishes has really gotten to me lol - I sound very dramatic I know!

I love the business cards idea and to humor myself I'm considering now getting some done.

Thank you for sharing and reaching out to me in a warm honest way I am so so grateful to you.

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AutumnMango · 13/09/2022 20:01

@tealandteal Thank you so much I hadn't even gotten round to thinking about what type of birth etc but all points are good ones and I will add this to my to-do list which I've decided to tick off once a month when complete. I appreciate you being so kind in reassuring me I've been in bits for weeks confused and scared feeling less so today.

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AutumnMango · 13/09/2022 20:27

@bogoblin Your acronyms have me belly laughing thank you so much it's reassuring to know I'm not losing my mind. One day at a time and I bought a slice from Lolas cupcakes whilst I have no clue if I can stomach it I'm trying to be kind to myself I know the tears will come if i can't eat it but I'm being kind to myself!

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AutumnMango · 13/09/2022 20:32

@unicormb thank you so much!!

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