Ahh 36 weeks and just got "the fear"!!....

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The title says it all. I'm 36+2 weeks with my first baby, and despite my ever growing bump and all the pregnancy symptoms it's only now, this morning, that I've thought "crap this baby is actually coming. And really soon". (Queue panic mode)... Suddenly terrified of labour, and the reality of will I be a good mum etc. Practically we're all sorted, nursery's done, clothes washed, bag packed etc, but bizzarely I feel on tenterhooks. Please someone reassure me. I know there's no going back now. Ahh I need a hug!!!

Yes, I remember that feeling with my first. Having number two shortly. Quite nervous about the birth. It's just fear of the unknown really, every birth is different.

There's not a whole lot you can really do about preparing to be a parent though. It's something you grow in to. So all you can really do is take each day at a time with your new baby. Everything else will just fall into place.

Good luck!

38 weeks today with no 4 and have "the fear" too

I have had 3 straightforward births the last one was only 1h 35m at home so I know I can do it but am still scared.

You will be fine, yes labour is no picnic but the feeling afterwards well you cannot describe it and it is what everyone says being a Mum comes very naturally as does the love for your baby.

And all us May's will help you along the way

And remember the birth will just be one day. It's not easy but being as calm as you can really does help. Your body itself knows how to give birth.

So only one day out of the nine months to grow your baby, and the rest of your life being a mum.

Thanks I know I'm being irrational. I'm soo excited to finally meet the baby girl whose been inside me all this time, but can't help but be scared about it all. I've got loads and loads of support and I'm sure it'll come naturally. Think I need to adopt these relaxing breathing techniques a few weeks early!

You are not irrational I was terrified with my first, it's the fear of the unknown and all the scare stories don't help either.

You don't know what the baby is going to do and what your body is going to do and how you will cope with it all.

But we all do it and come out the other end with a beautiful baby.

Try not to stress difficult I know

Mum of 2 here. (2 and 18 weeks).

I wish I hadn't spent my last few weeks stressing about birth, swine flu, would I manage a VBAC, bla bla.

I would pay good money to have those moments back again, the moment when you meet them for the first time! It's the best day of your life from that point of view.

First birth was emergency section second lasted 3 days so neither a walk in the park but the main thing I remember is just walking on air because I had a beautiful baby boy, then again with my girl.

Id do it again.....if it didn't mean having 3 under 5, no thanks!

3 under 5 isn't that bad honest

Unless I have completely lost my sanity as I'm about to have 4 under 6

Try to enjoy these last few weeks.Savour feeling your baby move. You'll get cuddles after the birth but the special feeling of her moving in your tummy will soon be a distant memory. I still miss it after 4DC.

One piece of advice i was given was very true for me, try not to let fear take over. Once you get scared during labour its very hard to get a grip. Really think about calming yourself with breathing.

Best of luck. I'm more than a tiny bit jealous, in a few days you will get to meet your baby for the first time.

When I was pregnant with DS1, all of our friends who had children kept telling us, "Your life will never be the same again!" and I thought, "Well, duh!" They were right, but not in the "It's a terrible shock to the system" way that they intended. Parenthood feels exactly right, and I know everyone says this, but it's the best thing in the world.

I had a fairly straightfoward labour, but because of my not realising how close to being fully dilated I was, I ended up having him at home without any pain relief. I'm sure it must have been very painful, and I had to have stitches afterwards, which was probably pretty unpleasant, but the weird thing is, I can't remember it at all - the baby just erases all of that from your mind, I think. It must have been OK, because I'm doing it all again!

You'll be fine, and soon you'll have a lovely new baby to hold.

Aww thanks everyone! You've all made me feel much more confident. These past few days I've really had to time to think and get a grip on it all, and now I'm just thinking only 23 days till my baby girl is due, and soo excited. Not oh god, only 23 days! Both my sisters also said they got "the fear" towards the end too, so I guess its not too unexpected, particularly for a first baba. Good luck to you all!