Second Pregnancy Worries

Aside from all the usual pregnancy worries, I had additional worries in my second pregnancy. Towards the end of my third trimester, the realisation that this new child would soon be in our lives, started to scare the hell of me.

I worried that my daughter wouldn’t like her little brother. I had a greater fear of labor than the first time around due to the complications I had. But the most predominant thought in my mind was: Am I insane to have another child when some days, I feel like I can barely cope with one?

Don’t get me wrong. I already loved my baby. He had been planned and wanted for so long. I couldn’t wait to hold him in my arms. But at times I was overcome with worry. So as I wondered how I can get over the anxiety and the crippling self-doubt, I simply reminded myself that I’ve done this before and managed.

I’d survived a rather traumatising and long labor.

I knew how to change nappies, wipe a bum, bathe a delicate newborn and just the right way to swaddle them tightly (the first time round, I was clueless).

Our daughter was healthy, happy and thriving.

So I decided I’d got this. I could do it!

I have a very flexible birth plan (give birth was the only thing on it).

The midwives were aware of, and prepared for the possibility of a return of the complications from the first time round.

I knew I could cope with less sleep (maybe not firing on all cylinders but could cope).

I knew now that my house would not be spotless and that’d be okay (secretly pleased about this as i’m naturally quite messy).

I knew I could definitely squeeze in a quick shower and change into clean clothes every day at some point.

I came to realise that accepting help is not a weakness, and is in fact, very smart (ok slight exaggeration, I still struggle accepting help but I do know where to turn when I need it).

I managed to calm myself down by reminding myself of these things and thinking ‘Yeah, I’ve got this.’

Tags: Birth, Birth Plan, Estimated Due Date, Labor, Labour, Pregnancy, Pregnancy Blog, Pregnancy Worries

Posted in Pregnancy