Section tomorrow. Shitting myself!

[SRK16]

Having baby number two tomorrow and feeling so panicky. I had a section with my first child and it was a great experience, so I think the panic is more about the idea of having another baby and juggling with the older one. I don’t feel prepared at all and I’m terrified I’ll feel as emotionally/mentally unwell as I was last time. I feel like some stuff will be easier as I know what to expect but my general emotion is panic/fear rather than excitement. I’m scared that I won’t bond because of how I feel right now. It’s silly as this is a very wanted and long awaited baby, but I just feel so anxious and scared.
Can anyone talk me down/share their (positive) experiences of having their second child? I know it will be brutal initially but just hope that knowing the rough timeline will help this time. Or maybe I’ll have a unicorn baby that sleeps!

Honestly it’s such a mix of emotions but you’ll be absolutely fine

I found it way easier going from 1 child to 2 than I did going from 0 to 1

Take that nervous energy and turn it in to excitement. Nearly time to meet your baby!! That’s so exciting!

Congratulations- you get to meet your baby tomorrow! That’s so exciting! Best advice I’ve had is to take it one day at a time.

carrying a baby to term is metabolically the same as running a marathon every day, look at you having the strength to do that. You will be strong for the birth and strong for the early sleeplessness. If the older kid watches a bit more tv so you can rest and deal with baby then that’s just fine and already been done by countless parents. Do what you can and prioritise your rest. You’ve Already done it once. Good luck

I’m in the same boat but have a couple of weeks to go. I’ve decided not to let everything get on top of me all at once. Break it down.

If I make it to my section date I have told myself this time I’m going to make myself be so grateful that I’ve made it that I don’t let all the nerves take over. It’s a harsh way of looking at it but I’ve seen too many stories on Instagram over the last few weeks of young women who have cancer and are having to go for loads of treatment or operations or have a cannula put in their hand etc so I’m going to try and make myself just be really glad that I get to go in there for a positive reason.

Im then hoping that by being with the baby alone in hospital for the first bit that will help how I’m feeling. I think it’s just a completely different experience when the last time you didn’t have a baby so you had all this love to instantly channel into one child when they arrived. I now feel a bit strange about the concept of splitting that love with someone else but I’m sure it will feel really natural when it comes to it.

Then just try and take each step of the recovery individually and don’t get ahead of yourself. Make life as easy for yourself as possible. I plan to sit out literally little piles of clothes for myself (or put them in the top drawer) so it has underwear and everything altogether. I’m going to sit my maternity pads in the bathroom up high so I’m not having to lean down for them etc. Make sure your toddlers clothes are straightforward to find and ironed today. All you can do is take it one step at a time and ask for help if you need it. Good luck, I’m sure it will be great

Thank you all.

@Babybabybabyy totally agree about the idea of splitting the love; I know it will come it’s just hard to imagine. And good point about day by day, I’m very much getting swept up in the whole newborn period!

We’re going to get pizza tonight and try and get to bed early. Can’t believe this time tomorrow I won’t be pregnant anymore and will have a baby!

This was me 18 days ago!
One day at a time.
Enjoy your 1:1 time with new baby in the hospital.
Yes it's chaos when you get home but seeing your older child love the baby is incredible.
You've got this x

Hope it went well today

Please update when you can ☺️

Everything went well! Fell in love immediately. I think things feel a bit easier second time round, though getting feeding started is harder than I had hoped. Though I’m more chilled and happy to combi feed especially until my milk comes in. Thanks for the support!

Congratulations! 🎉 hope your recovery goes well