Overwhelmed by what is to come

[DozingOtter]

I am in my second trimester. Have been on and off feeling complete overwhelm and anxiety about how much things are changing. This is a much wanted baby but still the thought of being off work, friendships inevitably changing (we are first of most friends having a baby), managing birth and the after effects, coping when the baby is here and juggling work long term are all a lot.
I know it's partly hormones and partly normal but I worry also that my mental health is suddenly pretty wobbly.

Hey there!
It is a huge change, and I am not saying it will be easy, but you will have a baby! And then eveything else will become a little less important, because that baby will be the center of your world. So, I think it is ok to feel a little sad that things are going to change, because they will, but change is life!
Best wishes, and good luck!

And, keep an eye on yourself, if you think your (completely normal) feelings of sadness are getting out of hand, ask a health professional about depression. Unfortunately, it can happen in pregnancy.

Would it help to make a list of all the things you're worried about and think of ways you can manage them? I like a good plan!

I will say that friendships do change, especially if your 'old' friends want the 'old' you back, or aren't that interested in babies etc. There's a whole new pool of people out there though, and my closest friends are now people I met through baby groups or the school run. In the long term, I was surprised by how many of my friends did go on to have kids eventually, and having that in common does make it easier to reconnect (for me).