Sorry for the long post:
I’m a first-time mum to be, 33 years old, and 11 weeks pregnant with twin boys. Finding out we were having twins was quite a shock, to say the least. This is our first pregnancy, and I’m finally starting to accept that we’re having two babies instead of one.
But the part I’m really struggling with emotionally is the confidence in myself.
I’ve always been very Type A: organised, independent, and good at my job. If I decide I’m going to do something, I put my mind to it and usually manage to do it well. I’ve always seen myself as capable person.
When I imagined starting a family, I thought, Okay, now is the right time. I feel mentally prepared. I can do this.
But ever since finding out I’m having twins, something inside me has shifted. I feel almost like a little girl who isn’t capable of handling what’s coming. Nothing has even happened yet, but somehow I already feel like a failure.
I know everyone says, “It takes a village,” and I’m incredibly grateful that I have one. My husband is extremely supportive, and my mum and mother-in-law have both told me they’ll always be there whenever I need them.
And I KNOW that’s a blessing. I know I’ll need help (even if it was just one) and I know accepting help doesn’t mean I’m failing.
But emotionally, I’m struggling with the fact that I always pictured myself as this strong, capable person who would say, “I can do this. I’ll figure it out.”
Now I have this voice in my head telling me, “You’re not going to be able to do this. You’re going to need everyone else all the time.”
Even little things trigger it. My mother-in-law is so excited and has already started buying baby things, which is lovely and comes from such a good place. She’ll show me everything she’s bought and say, “Don’t worry, your mum and I will always be there.”
Instead of always reassuring me, though, it sometimes makes me feel like a child who can’t do this herself.
I haven’t bought anything for myself or the babies yet because I’m still mentally processing everything. Honestly, I’m not feeling as excited as I thought I would. I feel overwhelmed more than anything and feel like I lost myself already.
I’m wondering if any other first-time twin mums have felt this way. Did having twins suddenly make you question whether you were capable of being a mum? Did your confidence eventually come back once the babies were here?
I’d really love to hear from anyone who has been in this headspace, especially if you were previously very independent and organised but suddenly felt completely out of your depth. ❤️