labour - i wasn't prepared that with the first contraction i would be thinking 'i don't think i can do this'! of course, i could but i just wasn't prepared for how it would totally knock me off balance. i also learnt that despite doing lots of research into which position i would like to labour (i thought on a birthing ball) & not labour (lying on my back) that these things might be totally round the other way!

after birth - that having a long, hot shower would be what kept me sane. and that standing in the shower having a good cry was perfectly normal. i also agree with trillian on bfing. most of all, i wasn't prepared for feelings about my relationship with DP - i actually felt grief & like i'd lost something. it was just a change in our relationship but the strength of the feeling surprised me. i also wish i'd known just how overwhelmed i'd feel by it all - it settled down by about week 5 or 6 but the first two weeks were so intense!