Is It Normal to Be Affraid of Being Pregnant?

So normal. Just remember that as long as you love that baby with all you have, anything else you get right is just toppings on the cake. We all make mistakes, but it is the love they remember, that they need.

I love the answers that you have already, but just in case you're like me, I thought I'd chime in...

I was terrified with my first... completely paranoid and constantly envisioning all of the clutzy ways I could fall and hurt the baby or that people could trip and fall on him... stairs made me literally crazy! (When we bought our first house, one of my biggest requirements was NO STAIRS!) I knew I was being irrational - I did a ton of deep breathing to alleviate those fears... the thing is, I think they are linked with the biological imperative of protecting our children - I just had an extreme case.

If you are like me, DO NOT read 'What to Expect When You're Expecting'. This will only exacerbate the problem... (that book is the very definition of ALARMING) have your partner read it and pass on any pertinent info to you. Also, know that the irrational fear fades as the pregnancy hormones fade... I'm almost normal now, 15 months later! ;)
Good luck!
-H.

Yes. Not only is first-time-mom stress completely normal (you're about to do something you've NEVER done before, and most of us have no idea how we'll handle it until we're, uh, handling it), but the hormones during pregnancy can increase anxiety, making it harder for your to control your concerns. This is completely normal. If you find it begins to interfere with your life or having a healthy pregnancy, speak to your OB about controlling your anxiety.

Yep. I think it would be abnormal NOT to be worried.

Especially when you get closer to the due date, despite being physically miserable, you secretly wish for a little more time before life as you know it changes.

But, being a mom is the most amazing thing you'll ever do. As long as you go into it realizing that no one is perfect, we all make mistakes, and keep your child's best interests in mind, you'll be great. Also, being a mom means having to make personal sacrifices. You'll be sleep deprived, cranky, have less money to spend on things you like, but it's all worth it in the end.

Getting cancer after the birth of my second child taught me that life is all about the people in it - as long as you have your family and your health, you really do have everything in life that you need.

Even if there is something abnormal with your child, you won't love them any less, and your instincts to nurture will kick in so strongly. All babies need is love, support, and a little guidance.

Good luck!

Completely normal!!! I think moms even worry with their 2nd, 3rd, 4th, etc.! I still do & my daughter is 4! :)

Just relax & know that yes, you will make mistakes (we ALL do!), but you learn from them, do the best you can, & move on!

And DON'T be afraid to ask questions!! This site is awesome to ask about anything! And if you are concerned about anything with your baby's health, don't be afraid to ask your pediatrician. Better to ask than to not know!

Oh & you can read books such as "What to Expect When You're Expecting" and the one about the first years, etc. to be a little better prepared for things.

Relax & enjoy being a mommy! :)

YES YES YES you're normal. Don't worry about it. You'll do fine. You're already here asking us other mom's for help, so you're off to a great start. God gave us "motherly instinct," so you'll know what to do and what not to do when you have your baby. Keep yourself educated and read about what babies need and you'll do great.

Yes!!! Parenting is a day-by-day thing. There is a saying 'It takes a village to raise a child'. While you may not have many hands waiting to help out, there will always be friends, nurses, etc. that you can ask questions, get examples.

If you haven't been around a lot of kids, volunteer in the church nursury. Learn from them, ask questions.
M.

Of course it's normal! Anyone that tells you otherwise is a liar! LOL I am a firm believer in the theory that mothers are made...slowly...over time. Upon birth, you are not instantly granted "motherly wisdom"! You will learn, grow and become more confident with your child over time. And, yes, you will make mistakes, you will obsess, you will screw up. Every mother does. I was 39 when I had my son and I couldn't believe the hospital was allowing me to take a baby hoe! I was clueless. But I'm less clueless now. :-) Best of luck and Congrats!

LOL - there would be something wrong with you if you didn't feel this way! Pregnancy and parenthood rock your world in ways it has never been rocked before. It is a life-changing experience through and through. Just realize that your baby will be different from any other baby, and you will figure it out as you go along. There's no one "right way" to do things. You will make mistakes just like the rest of us have (and continue to do =) but fortunately these mistakes will not scar our kids for life. Kids are very resilient little creatures. Just do your best and enjoy the ride!

Totally normal! When I was pregnant with my first I cried all the time. I was petrified I was going to be a horrible mother. Then when I was pregnant with my 2nd one I cried all the time cause I was afraid I wouldn't love her like I did my first. I was wrong on both :) It's also normal to second guess every single thing you do after the baby comes. I was PETRIFIED I was going to do something "wrong." Just love your baby with all your hear, make sure your baby is fed and all will be fine.

Heck yeah. My mom's a freakazoid so I always have a little fear of not being a good mom - I was in the middle of labor and said to my husband "what if I'm not a good mom" - not like I could push the kid back in till I was ready - LOL. Totally normal.

Yes! I have a lot of experience and education around kids and I still worried through both of my pregnancies (and in my current parenting). The good news is that kids are pretty resilient--we only have to be reasonably warm, responsive, interactive, and protective. However, I know I worry about mine all the time. I hated being pregnant because I felt like there was so much pressure on me to take care of the baby. I finally had to stop reading one pregnancy book because it dwelt so much on the things that could go wrong. My childbirth prep classes gave me nightmares. I'm afraid people are judging my parenting or that I'm screwing up my kids. So, yes, I can relate to the fears. I know other moms who do, too. I just try to remind myself my kids are doing well and that I'm really not in control of them anyway. I just do my best and enjoy them for as long as they're in my life. I can avoid making poor choices, but there is so much more that I can't control and just have to let go of. Having a supportive person who can gently challenge my irrational fears helps too. Hang in there.

No, it's not normal with all 1st pregnancies but everyone is different. YOu'll be great! Stop stressing- not good for baby....

I love all of the positive reassuring ccomments you have gotten already. I remember being 8 months pregnant and standing in my moms kitchen and in a total panic saying to her, "What have I done?!?! Can I change my mind?!?!" ANd, I meant it. ;-) I was an only child and had not spent much time around babies, plus I was 32 and used to my childless life and selfish ways. What helped me more than anything was to really educate myself. I took any and every class that was available, about child birth, about caring for a newborn, about breastfeeding. I actually took two classes on breastfeeding and read everything I could about it. I new of all things, that was the best thing I could do for her when she was born, so I wanted to make sure I got that right even if I failed at everthing else. :-) I am really glad I did. Everything I learned in the classes helped me in those first few crucial weeks when the breastfeeding was kind of tough (at least fro me). I am so glad I was prepared too, because in my experience everything about nursing and that relationship with my diaghter made me a better mother in every aspect. That may sound cheesy, but it really did make a huge difference and gave me so much confidence. Anyway, I want to second what another poster said about "What to Expect when you are Expecting." Talk about turn you into a stressball of anxiety!!! I put that high on the shelf and ONLY used it if I needed to look something specific up. Dr. Sears has some AWESOME books,a dn they are so informative and helpful and gentle. Someone recommended them to me when I was pregnant and I will forever be grateful to her. You might want to get "The Pregnancy Book" and the "Baby Book." The Baby Book was like my bible for the first year and beyond of my baby's life. I even kept one at my mom's house since she would watch my daughter while I worked. You can find them cheap used online. You are going to do a great job! Just start educating yourself, and it will make you feel so much more prepared and in control. I promise!