Hang in there!! It definitely is an emotional time! The first time I induced I pumped for 7 months so I learned a few things that worked for me. First get two sets of pump "stuff" it's much easier to have a spare set. Don't wash the apparatus after each pumping. Just put the whole pumping set in the refrigerator. The next time you need to pump, pull the pumping set out of the fridge, pour the milk from your last pump into whatever storage container you use are using and in a few minutes it's ready to go. Then at the end of the day, wash the set you have used that day and get the set for the next day assembled and ready to go. I had my husband help with this part!!
Second, get a hands free system!! I bought a hands free bra but you can construct a simple device from an old sports bra by cutting hole over your nipples. There are also tips on using ponytail holders and a nursing bra on this site I think and on Kellymom.com. That way you can be productive while you are pumping- return phone calls, pay bills, do work on the computer, read, etc.
Yes, I enlisted my husband's help and he was great because it definitely was time consuming especially after Danielle was born and I needed his help with the Lact-aid supplementation system. Let him know what you need him to do, and explain how important it is that you're a team!! This is good practice because when you get the baby home it is essentially that he helps out! Maybe, figure out what he likes to do and assign those jobs to him- laundry, vacuuming and dusting, cleaning the kitchen after meals, etc.
As far as emotion and fear that it won't work out, I can't tell you because we had a surrogate and we had no worries.
Finally, remember that is isn't about how much milk you make. It's about the chance to bond with your baby. There is nothing on earth that prepared me for the special feeling you get looking down at your baby nursing.
Good luck!!
