Anyone else due soon but having a hard time and not feeling excited?

Yes it’s hard to feel excited this time 😢 there are parts of me that are excited but it’s been hard to connect to the pregnancy in the same way I did first time between toddler life and work. I’m excited to grow our family but also my girl is at this really lovely age right now (19 months) and we are in a nice routine and I feel so guilty about changing her world even though I know to have a sibling is so special, she is no longer going to be our only baby and I’m really struggling with this, more than I thought I would. I feel guilty towards this baby that they already won’t have all of me in the same way and guilty towards my toddler that she is going to have to share me. Then there is knowing what’s to come - both how amazing & fast it goes but also how awful & hard it can be. Birth recovery, sleep deprivation, feeding issues, postpartum anxiety, postpartum. I think because of all these emotions and different layers, it makes it hard to just be excited. Cont.

There is a wonder & naiveness that exists when it’s your first and you have more time to just be excited. This time that feeling coexists with being a bit scared of what’s actually to come, overwhelmed and guilty. My husband is feeling the same too in his own way. We are so incredibly grateful for this baby and don’t feels awful to have such mixed feelings but trying to give myself grace that this is normal and to be expected. Our life has only just fallen back into a routine and we are about to give it another rollercoaster ride. Lots of people say 1-2 is easier but it’s still daunting and will take time to navigate and find yourself again. When I jump ahead to a year or so I start to feel more excitement probably because that same wonder exists of having 2 babies to play and knowing as they grow they understand more and give back so mucus more. Whereas newborn/postpartum is just such a minefield! So think it’s normal and to be kind to yourself ❤️

I think when it's your second you know what to expect and that includes all the hard parts. For me I felt ready but I can't say I felt excited. I was focused on a lot of worries about the birth, recovery and if we would have breastfeeding issues again so it was hard to feel excited. I was also worried about how my first born would cope, being in hospital was the longest I've been away from him and I was worried he wouldnt be happy with the baby being here. However, now baby is here I feel totally in love with him and I'm so happy with our now complete family. My toddler has adapted extremely well and I am recovering and feeling far better after this birth than I did after my first.

I’m pregnant with my first, so not in exactly the same position as you. But while I’m so excited to have my baby in my arms, I’m also very feeling very anxious. However, I’m not allowing myself to feel guilty over it, and nor should you. Having a baby is an amazing but HUGE thing to happen in your life. I’m making the point to enjoy the peaceful time I have now with my husband before the post birth recovery, lack of sleep and bickering among all the other things I’m not anticipating as a first time mum starts. You can be anxious about this massive life change but also know that it will all be worth it in the end and you’ll never look back. Give yourself some grace. I promise you, you’re not alone in the feeling. You got this! ❤️

@Jess reading this makes me feel better about some of the worries I have ❤️