Most women are not fortunate enough to be stay at home mums forever. Whether because of a true desire to re-enter the adult world or whether it is out of financial necessity most mothers will have to return to work after maternity leave.
This can bring with it a number of challenges, both practical and emotional, and can bring up a range of conflicting emotions.
It is not unusual for a woman to waste the last few weeks of maternity leave worrying about returning to work and the night before feeling like …

So baby is out and you were finally hoping that the hormonal, irritable, uncomfortable, disruptive monster you have been living with for the last 8 weeks was going to cough up your once sweet and patient partner and dissappear until the next pregnancy came along.
Tough! Sorry but there are a couple of weeks of torture yet to come. Maybe just one week if you are lucky!
So here is what to expect in your first week of having a newborn and a post partum partner:
Crying: Yep there will be tears. Tears …

For the first three months of pregnancy you may feel like you do nothing but sleep. For the second three months you may feel like you have limitless energy.
Then comes the third trimester and, even worse for your sleep patterns, your baby! The third trimester is a never ending interrupted nap with each night time bringing an inability to get comfortable, baby staying up all night kicking and regular bathroom trips. Your newborn will then keep you up for the next few months for 2, 3 or 4 hourly feeds.
Then …