Motherhood is fantastic and don't let the doommongers tell you otherwise! It is rewarding, fun, challenging and the best thing to ever happen.

Expect breastfeeding to hurt more than giving birth at first. Expect no sleep whatsoever in the first year (that way you'll be thrilled with broken sleep!). Bonding doesn't happen overnight; you do need to work at it.

Most importantly - this baby is YOUR baby. You know him or her the best. You will for a very long time. Don't let anyone - not even a midwife - tell you they know best. You always will. Not your mother, not your MiL, not your midwife, you community children's nurse... YOU. You know how to calm the baby, favourite songs, if baby likes the carrier or the pram, how baby feeds and IGNORE rude comments.