First pregnancy - anyone wished they had spent less time worrying and more time enjoying it

[kat2010]

Hello everyone,

I'm coming up to 34 weeks - so not long to go and I was thinking the other day and reflecting on my pregnancy and I realised that I had spent the past 7 and half month worrying about every little thing. I havent had an easy pregnancy - had to spend quite a bit of time in and out of hospital but luckily everything is fine. Thinking about it now I really wished I had more spent time trying(or at least tried) enjoying the pregnancy because I will never get the chance to be pregnant for the first time again.

Does anyone feel like that?

I was pg at 39 and did not worry at all. OK, not first pg. Refused ante natal screening, gave birth, ds was fine. But 6 months later my cousin who was 40, gave birth to child with Down's Syndrome. I realised I should have worried more.

kat i think you are realising all this at a good point in your pg! least you aren't realising it as you wade into 2nd pg, you get time now to indulge yourself a bit (and who's going to say no to a pg lady with 6 weeks to go?!!). just remember this, and apply it to your first few months as a mum too! it's too soon gone....
you are right, you don't get to indulge/enjoy every moment next time round, but it's not so bad. i didn't put on half as much weight this time around, was too busy chasing my naughty toddler!
good luck and enjoy

Oh, yes, i absolutely felt like that. I did manage to enjoy my 2nd pregnancy a little more but I am a worrier by nature so still managed to fret a bit with ds2.

Enjoy your last weeks!

My boss said to me when I was pregnant with my first, enjoy it as you'll only be pregnant first time once! At the time I thought, well obviously, what stupid thing to say. It was only when I got pregnant second time I realised what she meant! Having said that, it's only because I remained in steadfast denial of everything just incase it all went horribly wrong until the last few days of my first pregnancy that I think I was able to relax more second time round!

I was just wishing this afternoon to be having a first pregnancy again as I am on number three (Obviously not wishing the first two DC's away!).

I would love to be able to...

Put my feet up and just relax in this heat instead of chasing and entertaining

No one to head butt or climb all over my bump numerous times a day

If I am tired to go for a nap

To go to bed when I want...and not to get rudely awaken at 6 am every morning

To put my feet in cold water without other feet in there too

Not to have to rush around, bend, lift heavy toddlers all the time. To actually take care and take it easy.

I love them to bits but I am thoroughly exhausted - seriously, if you can take this time just to look after yourself, be selfish, be kind to your body. Get some sleep, relax...

Oh first pregnancies are wonderful.... it is inevitable to worry, but try to enjoy the time when you can sit just you and your bump and dream about what it might be like.

When I was pregnant with my second, I found it hard to find the time to sit and think about the pregnancy or baby, and I felt like it was nothing new and exciting..

When pregnant with my third dc, I had to work in another country for a few months, I was sad to leave my other two children (and dh!)at home. But it was like having a first pregnancy again. I was able to focus on myself and the baby growing inside, and spend time enjoying the kicks in the evenings. The worries and the aches and pains were there but the joy of being able to thrill in being pregnant was wonderful. Especially knowing how much I would miss the bump once it was gone again.

So all first-timers, do try to spend some time when you are enjoying being pregnant, even if you are up all night going to wee, and not able to get comfortable in the heat, with all the pressure and aches and pains. You will miss the bump afterwards beleive it or not! You do only get one time at being pregnant for the first time.

I just had DC3 and because both the DC (age 6 and 4) were at school (8.30-3.30) I felt it was even better than my first pregnancy when I worked full time (now work 3 days a week) - because I actually had 2 days to myself to do all those indulgent things like having a nap in the day!

I was very anxious in my first pregnancy but not at all anxious this time (or in 2nd pregnancy but this did have toddler to look after).

Kat - I know how you feel! I have been telling myself off for this whole pregnancy (I am 22 weeks now) for worrying and stressing at every little symptom when I should be enjoying myself.

I think when its your first pg the thought that it might actually result in a healthy child is just too much to believe! There seems to be so much that can go wrong. I am hoping that if this time goes ok the next pregnancy (pregnanacies?) will seem more real.