“Motherhood is the hardest and most challenging thing you will ever do, but it is also the most satisfying and rewarding”; how many times have you heard or read this statement!? Maybe the reason people keep repeating it is because it’s true!

Unfortunately knowing it doesn’t prepare you for just how hard and challenging it is at times, indeed, nothing can. There are hundreds of books, brochures and “expert” people ready to give you plenty of advice but at the end of the day (or middle of the night) there is no hand-book or instruction manual for your new bundle of joy!  We know before entering parenthood that there will be plenty of sleepless nights, dirty nappies and spewy shoulders, we know our lives will never be the same again, but until you've reached the height of extreme exhaustion or you're on the rollercoaster of emotions you feel every day, there's no way to practice or prepare. You might feel emotions such as love, happiness, pride, fear, anger and resentment all within a matter of minutes!  Laughing one minute, crying the next and you’re not really sure why!

It doesn’t really matter why, maybe you just need to release some pent up feelings that used to have an escape route but are now locked within as you try to keep yourself together for fear of being judged or given some more “well meaning” advice such as 'sleep when your baby sleeps' or 'get out and go for a walk to clear the cobwebs'. All of this of course makes perfect sense but is far easier said than done. Sometimes it’s a challenge getting to have a shower or make a sandwich for lunch let alone leave the house. One thing that helps is knowing - You’re not alone!

So now that some of the negative is out of the way, let's look at the positives of being a Mum! You and your baby will go through so many developmental stages together and most of the time it's such a natural occurrence you don't even realise it.

As soon as she is born she knows you are her mummy, she can smell you, hear your familiar voice and feel your heartbeat from a different perspective.

At four to eight weeks your baby will smile at you and it won't be wind! She'll start to follow you around the room with her eyes and look for you when she hears your voice. She'll start to play deliberately rather than randomly bat at things, and make sounds - she's trying to speak to you! You're getting to know her personality and she yours, this is just the beginning of a life long journey. You might look at this minature person and realise you never thought you could love anything so much in your life. You're a Mum!

Unfortunately some Mums experience sadness, depression, grief or indifference. It may be momentarily as the fourth day blues, in which case this will pass fairly quickly, but it's often prolonged and unexplained. It is important that these Mums find out what's going on and seek help and support. If unable to seek it themselves then hopefully someone is in a position to offer it. It is also important you don't feel guilty for not feeling the emotions "you are supposed to" because nobody ever really feels the way "they are supposed to" and who is making those rules anyway. The point is that you take the best care you can of YOURSELF and your baby.

As well as your partner, family, Maternal & Child Health Nurse, family GP or Naturopath there are other resources available;

PANDA - Post & Anetnatal Depression Association

Beyond Blue

Lifeline