ILLUSTRATION REQUEST: My best day ever - crowd-sourced (Bibi Lynch)

It'southward positive. Now what? (Picture: Liberty Antonia Sadler for Metro.co.uk)

Yous can buy the bassinet and learn Lamaze, simply you can never truly ready for having a baby.

There are no shortage of women willing to share their horror stories: 'You volition never sleep once more'; 'They cutting me from front to back'; and merely as many blog posts on everything from decorating the nursery to nursing your child.

woman pregnancy test vi women describe what it felt like when they discovered they were pregnant

In between, in that location is a centre ground full of Stuff You lot Don't Get Told But Actually Should Know.

Fine, the title needs work, but we've done our best to round-up equally many genuinely helpful tips from the lips of real-life mums.

If you're thinking about having a baby, read this kickoff.

one. Ditch the birth plan

In an ideal globe nosotros'd all give birth to the odor of lavender and whale song just childbirth is a precarious process.

The hurting may be worse, or less, than anticipated; labour might take minutes, or days, and your long-planned vaginal delivery may turn into a caesarean.

The merely certainty is that yous will find the strength and endurance to handle whatsoever comes.

two. If the worst happens, yous are non alone

The thought of losing a child is unbearable, meaning nosotros are duly reluctant to talk about it.

Sadly, notwithstanding, miscarriage, stillbirth, infant death and post-natal depression do happen and non talking almost it isolates parents at the time when they nearly need support.

Prospective mums needn't be afraid or spend your pregnancy fretting; merely be aware that, if the worst happens, organisations such equally The Miscarriage Association, Sands and Pandas are here to help.

3. Prioritise your pelvic floor

Thank the lord for Dame Sally Davies, England'south chief medical officer, who has spoken publicly well-nigh her struggle with post-partum incontinence.

Seven-million women are in the aforementioned boat, so nosotros need to talk about your pelvic floor.

Many mums recommend pelvic-flooring practise before, during and after pregnancy is over.

Unlike in countries such as France, the UK does not offer guidance as standard so y'all volition demand to educate yourself – baby clemency Tommy's has produced this useful guide.

Right, while we're downwardly hither…

**ILLUSTRATION REQUEST**Why is there still such a stigma about having a c-section? (Georgina Fuller)

The scars are totally worth it (Picture: Ella Byworth for Metro.co.uk)

4 Let's talk well-nigh poo

Yes, y'all might poo during labour – ironic, every bit many mums describe it as alike to doing a gigantic turd.

Only let'south talk about the starting time poo y'all'll do after birth.

It tin can be really hard – in every sense – so whether you chug prune juice or mainline laxatives, do what you can to ease that excrement.

5. Breastfeeding can be really hard

We won't wade into the breast-vs-bottle debate here, only breastfeeding is not always straightforward, fact.

It can take days for your milk to come in, it tin can be painful, and information technology tin be physically exhausting when you practise get going.

Firstly, don't struggle in silence: ask your midwife or health visitor, for communication or check out The Breastfeeding Network and the Meliorate Breastfeeding campaign.

Secondly, don't be afraid of the F word… formula, that is.

Legions of new mums turn to formula, whether information technology's to get through the odd 3am feed or for the whole of their baby'due south diet.

Your babe's health is the only matter that matters and breastfeeding often gets easier after the commencement six months.

6. You know what you need

Yous might think you lot don't know what you're doing, especially when you lot're crying at 3am, just you lot are your own about trusted advisor.

Listen to your body, follow your instincts and don't be afraid to make a fuss if something doesn't feel right.

Moreover, ignore negative or judgemental comments from…ahem, other mothers.

7. You will need time to recover

Both physically and mentally.

It can take anything from a few days to a few years to recover physically from birth – and simply as long to feel similar 'you' again – simply it will happen.

Cleave out 'me' time if and when you can, and don't let anyone tell you you're existence selfish.

8, Y'all won't want visitors

Unless they bring nutrient, brand tea or cheerfully spotter Escape To The State re-runs while yous nap.

9. Microwaved tea is grim

But the alternative is rock-common cold cuppas for the next 3 years.

10. Babies are (more) portable in the showtime six months

This changes when they start solids so don't take it for granted, even if you don't manage to take them anywhere before midday.

eleven. Babies are quite boring in the first half dozen months

Equally well as being adorable, miraculous, bundles of sunshine, of course.

12. Other mums tell porkies

About sleeping routines, nutrient predilections and reading levels.

Hither's what you demand to know: your child is doing but fine.

13. Like gobstoppers, motherhood is tough but fun

Though stressful at the time, that poo disaster in Tesco will become the stuff of comic legend.

Strap your baby into their loftier chair and, voila, a captive audience for your show tunes medley.

It's the small achievements that you'll dear: the first clap, the offset steps, the first time they use a spoon.

Who knew utensils could be so highly-seasoned.

Babies: bright and a chip dull. (Film: Erin Aniker for Metro.co.united kingdom of great britain and northern ireland)

14. Mum and baby groups are really for mums

No surprise, maternity can be lonely, which is why God created Hartbeeps.

You may likewise find it harder to be a new mum in wintertime months; ask for help if you demand it and get into a good box set, because God too created Netflix.

15. Socks are out, sleep suits are in

Ownership your babe socks is like throwing a fiver in the drain every fourth dimension yous go out.

Go easy on the 0-3-month slumber suits, however: babies abound out of them so fast, you might end up taking scissors to the footsies.

16. Invest in a Jumperoo

If you don't know what that is yet, you lot volition.

17. Say goodbye to your privacy and nobility

Your child will accompany you to shower/wee/sleep for the side by side 5 years.

eighteen. Moving ridge how-do-you-do to washing

You volition do more than washing than yous ever idea possible.

Socks will mate, then turn up in your bed and your fridge and your nightmares.

19. Forget your dorsum-to-work plan

Bin information technology aslope your nascency plan.

Your return to work volition be subject area to the vicissitudes of motherhood and you may want to go back before, or afterwards, or not at all.

If you exercise go back, avoid cowl necks: they are discreet depositories for baby sick.

20. Motherhood volition alter you in weird and wonderful ways

The first changes are physical: during pregnancy, your feet and hands can swell to comical levels; weight goes on in unexpected places – like your boobs, which will plough into bowling balls – and your hair might grow, or it might fall out, and your pare might glow, or it might break out.

Some mums claim their feet grew in size.

And so in that location are the changes to your very essence: get fix to be overwhelmed by love and undergo a fundamental shift in listen, body and soul.

What'south more incredible than that?

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