Woman Learns Weeks Ago She’s Pregnant with Baby No. 2. Now, She’s Worried It ‘Doesn’t Feel Right’ and Fears ‘Losing’ Her Firstborn

Weeks after learning she’s pregnant, one woman admits she’s unsure if it “feels right.”

In a candid Reddit post, the original poster (OP) revealed that she discovered she was expecting her second child two weeks ago. Since then, she’s been feeling “depressed and anxious.”

OP, who already has a 4-year-old son, said her first pregnancy went smoothly. But this time, she’s struggling with new fears. “All these fears are eating me alive,” she confessed. “I’m on the fence about not doing this because I don’t think I will love the baby.”

She worries she might “resent” her second child for taking time and attention away from her son. She’s also anxious about how her son will react to having a sibling, saying it feels like she’s “losing my son.”

OP explained that she’s heard of other parents feeling the same way but wonders if anyone has ever had a gut feeling that their pregnancy “wasn’t right.” She added that she fears being “the worst parent ever” and finds it hard to stay positive.

“My partner is trying to get me excited and happy but it’s not working,” she wrote. “Granted, it’s only been a week. And I haven’t told anyone yet. Maybe I’m in shock?”

In the comments, many Redditors urged her to reach out to a healthcare professional, suggesting she could be experiencing prenatal depression.

“Please speak to a doctor if this continues. You may be experiencing prenatal depression. Take care of yourself ❤️,” one commenter advised.

Another reassured her that these emotions are completely valid. “What you’re feeling is completely normal! It can take a long time to feel that ‘bond.’ Early pregnancy is so trippy,” they wrote. “Our bodies and thoughts start changing immediately, but we don’t see the love yet. We’re just incubators to this thing and it’s a wild journey.”

They encouraged OP to give herself time: “It’s amazing how big your heart can stretch. I’m about 11 weeks with #3 and feeling guilt and dread — with some excitement starting finally! — but the bond I developed with #2 reminds me that generally, everything turns out okay.”

Another person shared a personal story that mirrored OP’s feelings but ended with reassurance.

“I felt a little like this too and couldn’t fathom how I could ever love my second born as much as I loved my first,” they wrote. “I learned that my heart just expanded to love my second just as much.”

They added, “The absolute beauty of watching two siblings fall in love with each other was so incredible and perfect. Watching their bond grow each day was amazing. You have only good things to look forward to — your heart will just expand with love.”