Lived Experience Forum

[Jayy1]

My partner and I are due to have our baby in March. Everyday I get more and more anxious about it, scared I'm going to stuff it up the same way my parents did. Am I being irrational? Should I be more excited? I am, but sometimes I think the feeling of overwhelm and anxiousness shouldn't take over the excitement. Is that kind of messed up? I should be happier and more excited than I am yeah? COVID hasn't helped because I haven't been able to be involved as much as I would like to have been like go to appointments.  I don't know what to do. I know everyone will say to talk to my partner about it and I have a little, but sometimes I need a space (like here) where I can talk to people who don't know me.

I can't sleep some nights I'm just up thinking. March is a  fair while away and i don't know how much longer I can feel like this everyday. I have lived with some pretty chronic anxiety disorders/ptsd and adhd my entire life but I've tracked a long fine for a while up until now and I'm still really good overall just a little stressed 👀

[Snowie]

Hi @Jayy1 

Welcome to the Sane forums. I hope you find the support you are looking for here.

The forums are a safe place to unload your thoughts.

Well done for speaking out hun, it is hard at times to do that.

Have you ever heard of PANDA. They specialise in pre and post natal depression.

Their website is PANDA - Perinatal Anxiety & Depression Australia

It also has a helpline number that you can call and talk to someone about what is happening.

Please keep posting here too. Again, I hope you find the support you deserve.

Just on a note, if you use the @ symbol you will be able to tag members in your post.

I hope today is a good day for you 💜💜

[Eve7]

Congratulations on the expected baby @Jayy1 

Yes, it is exciting and very overwhelming. Nothing compares to the range of emotions with our first pregnancy and you have done well to speak up.

I hope you have a supportive GP and that you can contact PANDA. 

Unfortunately no one will have written a book about your baby as they’re all different.

Good luck and stay connected.

💗💙💗💙

[Jayy1]

@Snowie @Eve7 

Thsnk you. I've heard of that service but I don't think what I'm dealing with is that serious, just some anxiousness. 

Our first baby together, but we have a three year old from her previous relationship, and he's with us full time and an absolute firecracker of a kid so keeping us a little busy, he isn't too excited about the baby and refuses to accept that it's even happening which is kind of hilarious. 

I just don't want to stuff this up, obviously. I don't know how to manage how I'm feeling about it. 

[Jayy1]

I like this space because it's good place to just talk to other people. @Eve7 @Snowie 

[Snowie]

I am glad you feel comfortable here @Jayy1 and feel like you can open up.

What you are dealing with may not be serious but you still deserve the support hun, whether it be through Panda or on the Sane forum.

[Jayy1]

Then sometimes I feel guilty for being so worried about it @Snowie aren't I supposed to be really excited? (Which I am to a point) 

[Snowie]

There is no need to feel guilty hun, but it is very understandable to feel guilty @Jayy1 

Feeling worried, excited, scared, frustrated, anxious all rolled into one is completely normal to feel. 

I think when we are pregnant we all go through all different emotions, sometimes all at the same time!

I don't think we can be excited all the time when we are pregnant. There are lots of times I was worried during my pregnancies.

I think the people at Panda would be happy to talk to you about your worries but that is totally up to you. 

[Jayy1]

I’m not pregnant my partner is and I think that’s the half the problem everyone expects that I’d be fine

[Snowie]

Hi @Jayy1 

Just because you are not the pregnant one doesn't mean you cannot have different emotions. It is still ok to feel worried, scared, excited, nervous and plenty more emotions all at the same time.

Sometimes I think it is harder for the partner of a pregnant woman. They are expected to be the strong ones through a pregnancy.