Days Away from Baby #3'S Arrival and Feeling Very Blah

I think many of us have been there-try to do some mini projects during the day, that way the focus won't be on the children's behavior. Drink a lot of juices and water, get a bit of fresh air. Get some help and rest when you can-feel better-you got this!

Aw, it is ok, you are exhausted, excited, anxious and nervous.

Can your husband take the boys to the park for an hour or 2?

When I would get like this and not know what I wanted, or what my problem was. If I could have the house to myself for even 30 minutes, I could get me feelings together and start missing our child and my husband..

I could concentrate enough to get at least one thing completed. I just needed space and be able to complete 1 task completely.

I bet a bit of nesting would help you. Turn on some music or a movie you like, make some herbal tea and then either sit down or clean or tidy something..

Congratulations on the new baby! I bet he will be so cute. I love "New Baby smell"..

I personally never did, but it's probably your hormones as your body is getting for delivery . Also postpartum depression can start BEFORE baby is born, so please talk to your doctor if it continues ........

That last month of pregnancy is a major strain on your system and sanity.
Do you have a mother's helper to help with your older kids?
Once baby gets here then you'll be sleep deprived and your hormones will be going all over the place.
Having a helper in place will ease the strain on you and the kids and would give you a chance to rest up as much as you can.

Sure did. I think after baby #1 you know what's going to happen and you are pretty confident in your parenting skills so you are more nervous about how the baby will fit into your family's routine, It's a change and change is always a little frightening.

Make sure you take up all offers of help that you can. Hopefully there are grandparents and aunties who can take the older two on adventures and outings so you can stay home and rest with the baby.

I went through it with baby #2. I also had PPD with #1. I don't think it is as uncommon as society would lead you to believe. You are exhausted and uncomfortable and it can be hard to get excited about anything. Don't feel guilty for feeling this way and don't feel like you have to have special moments with the older two now - you still have many years ahead of you with your boys.

I highly recommend talking to your doctor about going on Zoloft immediately after the birth. It is safe to take while breastfeeding and can be started while you're still in the hospital. It can help you avoid some of the more serious feelings of depression. Remember that being sleep deprived and overwhelmed can lead to feeling blah and that it's ok if you need a little medical intervention to help keep up your spirits and energy.

Don't beat yourself up about it. You are going to love your new baby, even though you might not feel immediately elated when he/she arrives. Sending you hugs and the promise you are not alone.

It sounds like you are having some issues with depression, this could worsen as your hormone levels go nuts after birth. Talk to your doctor so he can keep an eye on your condition. Best of luck.

Hang in there, mom. I'm so sorry you're having this trouble. It sounds like you need help in the house.

I hate to harp on this right now, but you need to hear it. You HAVE to stop yelling at your kids. They won't listen to you because they don't have to. When they misbehave, physically take them to separate rooms and don't let them come out for a while. Do it every single time even if it's 30 times a day. Soon, all you'll have to do is threaten to separate them and send them to their rooms, and they will straighten up.

If they are fighting over a toy, after you've sent them to their rooms, put the toy away. If they ask where the toy went, tell them you put the toy in timeout since they wouldn't behave with it. Like being tired of being put in their rooms all the time, they will get tired of losing their favorite toys too. The only way they get them back is through good behavior.

You also need to give them positive reinforcement when they are behaving. "I like the way you boys are playing so well", "Thank you for playing quietly while I make dinner", like that.

It's okay for you to be on the couch right now rather than playing with them. You've got to keep your strength for the marathon ahead. But stop the yelling. Get up and take them to their rooms. Period.

With #4, and #5...just a sense of do everything I can before baby comes. And baby was always easy (just an extra carrier to tote around). No worries. It al falls into place. You'll be fine.

Get lots of help. I'd have the 5 and 2-year-old in preschool full-time if you can.
The hardest part was always before baby got here, not during. But the school helps. You don't need more stress.

You're tired. You're apprehensive. You feel guilty. You feel like a beached whale.

And your children are picking up on this, and they're acting up. Not that they need a reason to act up, being children. But they look to you for direction, and when you're not up to giving it, they act up more. Maybe it's an attention-getting device - "Mama, we're HERE! Yoo-yoo!" My children certainly did that, too.

I think you might give your doctor a call about your crying, though. Yes, it's that important. You also might call in a few favors from friends and relatives so they can give you some help right now. It isn't just after Baby arrives that help is needed!

Your feelings are real, but your feelings don't have to be the boss of you. That flies in the face of almost everything we're told, but it's true! Feelings are good indicators (which is why you want to check with your doctor), but they're bad rulers.