feeling negative

[juicylucy]

I'm posting this on two boards as I don't know where it should go.

My baby is due in August- it'll be my second. The problem is I just can't get excited about this pregnancy- I think because I am terrified about being the mnother of two children. I don't know how I'll do it- I find one hard enough a lot of the time. I just want to lighten up, because I don't want my poor fetus picking up on my negative feelings. I'd love to feel more positive but don't know how.

After DS was born I suffered with quite bad PPD. I was on anti-depressants which I stopped taking when I was about 8 weeks pregnant this time. I'm not sure if my PPD has returned because of me quitting the anti-depressants. Everything does seem pretty bleak right now, and I just can't snap out of this mood.

I love being a mum and find it very fulfilling, but I suppose a part of me is scared that I will stop being my own person. The daily routine of it all scares me as well.

I hope this is all just a phase, but if anyone has any ideas on how I can "cheer up", i would love to hear them. This negativity isn't helping anyone.

[mama2girls]

I don't know that I can cheer you up, but I can relate my story to you. I felt similar feelings when I was pg with #2. I am an only child and didn't have a clue how I would handle two kiddos. When she arrived, I was totally smitten. I shouldn' t have worried. I fell in love with her and was so much more relaxed about the whole mothering issue. In short, the second was a lot easier to parent. By herself. When you get the two together, it was a little hard, but with lots of support and help for the first couple of weeks it was ok. I think it took me a few MONTHS to really get comfortable being a mom of two, so take your time. I also stayed on my ad's through the pg and I believe that helped with some of the postpartum feelings. Are you planning to go on ad's after birth?

Sunshine headed your way! :sunshine

[QueeTheBean]

I second that--I kind of thought my first son was perfect, so how could another one be as good? Well, you know, truthfully, it isn't the same as the first time, but equally great!! Everything about #2 was easier--pregnancy, birth, his temperment. I am such a better mom with him--way more relaxed. I've heard this over and over again from moms with more than one child. It is a whole different experience.

That said, it IS harder having two in many ways--but it probably won't be as bad as you think. You'll have to let things slide a bit--dusting just isn't as important! Your son can even help out in little ways--you'd be surprised. DO get help for the first month or so. Demand it, in fact. I failed to do this and I regret it so much. I had my ds at a Birth center and was home 4 hours after he was born. That was fine, but I found myelf heating supper up the next night & attending to visitors. Huh??? Don't do that! LOL. Enlist your DH--anyone you can. You'll never get those first few weeks back, so rest up while you can. Seriously--DEMAND it. If you get rest then, you may feel better when al the help goes home.

More later.

You'll be ok--we all felt the same way with #2!!!