You carried your baby, full term, had a 48-hour labour and swore you would never do this again. But when little Mia was brought to you and you held her for the first time, you wept and could not believe this tiny miracle sleeping in your arms. Well, Yummy Mummies, welcome to motherhood – a permanent phase where your priorities and your life, as you know it, changes forever.

I was always one of those women who never thought that motherhood would ever change me. Within days I expected to be working again, wearing my size 6 jeans and head out with my husband for dinners to our quaint, favourite restaurants. Of course I was in complete denial of this big change. What I failed to realize was that having my little girl would not only change my life’s rhythm but also change me as a person all the way down to my soul. Motherhood introduces us to a new way of life where we discover emotions that we knew never existed.

Have you noticed these changes in you?

• Your priorities change: Whatever your priority was before you had your baby – husband, job, hobbies all this will change putting your baby and her needs right on top. Things that seemed so important before will just not mean that anymore. Being a mother gives you a new meaning in life. You will find a way to fit everything back into your life still keeping baby as top priority.

• You probably find emotions getting heightened. You cry more and react like you are a new person. These heightened emotions are not only when it comes to your family, but you will even cry or react when you start seeing a children’s charity ad on TV.

• Relationships are altered. You find yourselves spending more time with your family and husband rather than your closest girlfriends.

Tips to help make transitions easy and early

• Admit that these changes are big and real. Take time to acknowledge how dramatic this whole experience is. The less prepared you are the harder it will be to cope and adjust to this new life.

• If you are still pregnant try and spend sometime with a real baby. Go hang out with your friend and her baby to get a realistic idea of this experience.

• Take good care of yourself. You can be overwhelmed with the baby, feeding and sleepless nights. But please take some time out to eat balanced nutritional meals and go take a nap whenever possible. Remember to get some exercise to keep you healthy.

• Give yourself a break. Get some “me” time at least once a week. Get your husband to come early and watch your baby while you can take a long bath or go out for a coffee with your girlfriend or even catch a movie for a couple of hours.

Once you accept these changes, you are more likely to find real happiness in the wonderful life that lies ahead of you. Enjoy!!