CPTSD and pregnancy
I found out I’m pregnant last week and I’ve always wanted to have a family of my own. I have an amazing supportive partner and have been in therapy for a long long time and have done all the things I can to heal but now that I am actually expecting- I am so scared. I lost my mom at 7 years old which led to me living with my dad and other family in a broken home with substance/alcohol abuse, physical violence, poverty and every other shitty thing that should never happen to anyone, let alone a child. I have a beautiful life with stability and love that I never could have imagined back then. But I can’t help feeling like I shouldn’t be a parent. It’s like I’ve been hit with this sickening feeling that I’m tainted by a generational curse that I’ll pass onto my own children. Even though I am in a better place with coping skills, being pregnant has made me feel so unprepared and like I shouldn’t be doing this. I’m probably not the only one who’s felt this way, but I just keep thinking about the different ways I could mess them up. I can’t anticipate anything. I’ve always thought I’ll love my children but part of me thinks maybe my dad thought the same way too at one point, but it went wrong at some point- so what if I become that way too? What if I don’t feel maternal or connected to them? Has anyone else felt this way? Does anyone else struggle with trauma/CPTSD that has had kids?? Any advice is welcome please :(