3rd timers..should I be worried?

CaitlinJ22

this baby is due in about 5 weeks and I am not really concerned about bringing #3 into the family. With #1 I was terrfied, mainly of the unknown. With #2 I was scared that Ds would hate me, or not adjust...but it was all fine. 

With this baby I am SO ready to have another newborn again. I am excited to see my kids with the baby, and I am prepared as I can be to handle them and their reactions.

My only real concern is sleep deprivation and not snapping at the older kids when I barely get sleep at night. Of course I know I will be tired, but it will pass.

I am also worried about labor as I plan to go naturally this time, but really thats all.

I have more time to have the baby stay in, but when s/he is ready so am I, so should I be more worried or nervous about this 3 kid thing??  

MammaBear81

I think the more times you do it the less worried you are (at least I was).  There are always new challenges, but things like changing a poopy diaper on a squiggly newborn at 2 am in the dark are second nature by now!  You've got multitasking under your belt, so you are just folding another child in the mix.  There were plenty of days that I thought I was crazy, but there are many more days that are just perfect in my mind.

Sleep deprivation is a hard one, when they were little I tried my best to take a breath before responding to anything the kids said/did, that gave me some time to realize that it really isn't that bad, but of course there are those days that everything seems to go wrong, I know I've snapped at them before, but the horrible feeling after it happens keeps me from doing it often.  GL and I hope all goes well.

CaitlinJ22

MammaBear81:

I think the more times you do it the less worried you are (at least I was).  There are always new challenges, but things like changing a poopy diaper on a squiggly newborn at 2 am in the dark are second nature by now!  You've got multitasking under your belt, so you are just folding another child in the mix.  There were plenty of days that I thought I was crazy, but there are many more days that are just perfect in my mind.

Sleep deprivation is a hard one, when they were little I tried my best to take a breath before responding to anything the kids said/did, that gave me some time to realize that it really isn't that bad, but of course there are those days that everything seems to go wrong, I know I've snapped at them before, but the horrible feeling after it happens keeps me from doing it often.  GL and I hope all goes well.

thank you, I appreciate the advice, esp from you.  

dmfan897

I'm not as far along as you but I'm not worried at all about having another baby. We have a fairly loose schedule with DD1 and DD2 and I just imagine the baby fitting into that [because well, there's no other choice lol]. I figure by this point, my kids are used to sharing attention and time with mommy and daddy so I don't think they'll be too upset by the new addition. I've heard that it gets easier with each kid. We might go for a 4th [did I really just type that!?] and I don't think I'll even notice the "disruption" hehe. 

Jilybean17

I felt the exact same way you do.  I was not scared of adding to our family, but I was terrified of the sleep deprivation while dealing with the older 2. 

It has honestly hasn't been nearly as challenging as I had anticipated. Granted #3 is the best sleeper we've had so far, but it hasn't been difficult! It just seems like my body had been there, done that and it was ready! Remember how sleepy newborns are? I actually got to nap quite a bit while the older 2 napped. I had forgotten how much newborns sleep! 

FWIW, my labor (med-free also) was only 7.5 hours compared to 12 and 19 with DD and DS. 2 pushes and she was out! No tearing.  

We had been questioning a 4th and after how easy labor/delivery and baby #3 has been, we are pretty certain now  

I hope this boosts your confidence! GL! 

CaitlinJ22

Jilybean17:

I felt the exact same way you do.  I was not scared of adding to our family, but I was terrified of the sleep deprivation while dealing with the older 2. 

It has honestly hasn't been nearly as challenging as I had anticipated. Granted #3 is the best sleeper we've had so far, but it hasn't been difficult! It just seems like my body had been there, done that and it was ready! Remember how sleepy newborns are? I actually got to nap quite a bit while the older 2 napped. I had forgotten how much newborns sleep! 

FWIW, my labor (med-free also) was only 7.5 hours compared to 12 and 19 with DD and DS. 2 pushes and she was out! No tearing.  

We had been questioning a 4th and after how easy labor/delivery and baby #3 has been, we are pretty certain now  

I hope this boosts your confidence! GL! 

thank you, and congrats!

My oldest doesnt nap anymore and I am hoping to get some rest, but he is great about having some rest time and I bought some activity books to keep him happy.

I hope this labor is faster! DS was 2 hrs of pushing, vacuum and I was cut, DD was 5 pushes no tears/cuts...I hope this baby comes out as easily.

thanks again  

dmfan897

Jilybean17:

I felt the exact same way you do.  I was not scared of adding to our family, but I was terrified of the sleep deprivation while dealing with the older 2. 

It has honestly hasn't been nearly as challenging as I had anticipated. Granted #3 is the best sleeper we've had so far, but it hasn't been difficult! It just seems like my body had been there, done that and it was ready! Remember how sleepy newborns are? I actually got to nap quite a bit while the older 2 napped. I had forgotten how much newborns sleep! 

FWIW, my labor (med-free also) was only 7.5 hours compared to 12 and 19 with DD and DS. 2 pushes and she was out! No tearing.  

We had been questioning a 4th and after how easy labor/delivery and baby #3 has been, we are pretty certain now  

I hope this boosts your confidence! GL! 

I realllllly hope my L&D with #3 is as easy as yours. DD1 was 12 hours and DD2 was 19hrs. I would take anything less than 12 this time! 

caymanbride

If you should be worried, then so should I!

 I felt the same way as you, especially about being worried about adding # 2 and not being with just DS1 anymore.

This time, I am just so ready to snuggle and meet my baby girl, and especially seem my boys with their little sister. I feel like they have each other and already play so well together, so I don't really worry about jealousy or anyone just being upset....just the lack of sleep for the first few months! 

itsmevkb

No, I think you have just about the right level of nervousness.  I think it really does get easier with each baby. 

The sleep deprivation is rough, I'm not going to lie about that.  I tended to let more things go with my older two than I normally would (like making them clean up their toys, etc.) during those first few months just because I figured better to let it go then to start yelling. 

As for labor, I think it wouldn't matter how many children I've had, I'll always be nervous about labor.  I had a natural birth with my second and it hurt like h*ll but it went quickly and you get through it.  You'll do fine!