You'll be amazed when you have your baby in your arms how the instinct of being a Mum kicks in. I promise.

I went through a very similar thing to you, and half terrified myself. I had never held a baby before, until I held my own. I had NFI, in theory. But when she popped out, a whole load of protective things kicked in. (Looking back, the first few months were bedlam, but we did OK!)

I am still amazed to this day over how a little babies cry can spur you into immediate action.......the hormones and the hard-wired instincts are a very clever thing!

At the hospital where you are planning on giving birth: do they run ante-natal classes? That is a good way to start your support network.......gather as much info from as many people as you can before your baby is even born! (And as you go on, you will realise that everyone has advice to give, and that you can "pick & choose" which advice will work for you and your baby!)

I am 99% sure that in NSW the MCHN system offers, to all new mums, some form of classes for new parents, where you go along each week for a few hours: this enables them to run sessions on settling/sleep/baby massage etc etc, and the main benefit of this (for me) was that it enables you to meet 15 or so other new Mums with babies the same age as yours who live in the local area. Once the "official" classes are complete, you'll find everyone swaps phone numbers and continues on with the Mummy Group..........

(I have to say that pre-babies I found the idea of this abhorrent for me, but I have made THE best friends for life from my Mummies group and they have been an invaluable source of friendship and advice and support: it amazes me!).

I remember when my DH went back to work after Olivia was born. I was in a panic. BUT, in just one day I realised that I did know what to do, and that I loved, just loved, being with my baby girl:just me and her. And of course my confidence grew. I am sure the same will happen for you!

Not sure if any of that helps any? Don't stress!!