Our son arrived a month earlier than expected, and I found the whole waters breaking scenario calm and slightly surreal. Mr Dad was at work so after calling him (and listening to him screeching 'I'm on my way' in a slightly hysterical pantomime dame type voice), I called my parents who rushed over - I'd barely put the phone down and they were on my doorstep looking frantic and pale. I couldn't really understand all the fuss - yes it was four weeks early, but it would be fine, right?

It wasn't until 24 hours later, after a few baby elephant impressions, a much needed epidural, turning of baby, forceps and the arrival of a steamy and wrinkled 6lb 7oz baby boy that the reality finally hit home.

The lack of sleep, pain of numerous stitches and the pure emotion of it all steamrollered me all at once and I broke down to - 'what if I don't want him when we get home?' I sobbed.

Queue Mr Dad mentally trying to establish if these were early signs of post natal depression, or just the normal tears of an overtired new mum.

Thankfully the lovely staff, who I wanted to hug, a lot, moved me to a private room to continue the outpouring of my Alice like tears.

On returning home I spent approximately three weeks in a little bubble of breastfeeding, welcoming excited visitors (sometimes eight deep, ridiculous), cooking quick lap-friendly meals and trying to keep a track of who bought what blue gift and send a thank you card.

We went to Mothercare on day 2, a funeral on day 5 and a friends BBQ on day 12. I think I felt I had to be supermum. What I know now is - there is no such thing. So, here are my 10 little ways your life changes – unexpected ways, but all for the better… 1. Breast feeding does not come to you in an earth mother-like natural way. You have to practice, and it aint easy.

2. Seeing a poo for the first time is more exciting than you ever knew possible.

3. It is very easy to obsess about the bath water being 1 degree too warm, when actually, if you make it a tad warmer than 'the books' say to, babies are far happier.

4. You have to admit to yourself that you are now incapable of talking about anything other than babies. Sadly, you have officially become a baby bore.

5. Being awake every hour all night, for longer than you care to remember really does warrant the purchasing of a new handbag by your other half (for you, not him, although there are some very cool man change bags out there).

6. It starts to dawn on you what people meant when they said 'your time is never your own again'. Yes, you manage to fit in social engagements, shopping trips and meals out - but all with baby strapped to you. It's never quite the same. Lovely, but not the same.

7. If you thought you cried easily at Secret Millionaire, now the news headlines are enough to set you off.

8. All the baby gear you bought to match your lounge is now precariously wedged into the cupboard under the stairs and has been replaced by hand me downs that actually soothe or entertain your baby.

9. You actually miss your baby bump. Especially now as you're finding little reason to justify still wearing maternity clothes, but still can't fit into your old jeans. This stage of limbo can be enough to tip you over the edge.

10. Foolishly, you still venture out of the house without a packet of wipes or change of clothes on the odd occasion. On that odd occasion, baby somehow knows and explodes out of their nappy just to test you. Oh joy.

But, we learn as we go along, and I can honestly say that 15 months in, I'm still learning. Today I learnt that shoe shopping at the Bicester Village Clarks on a Saturday remotely near to Christmas, with a buggy was the most insane idea I've had in a long time. I've also learnt that there is absolutely nothing you can do about teething induced clinginess, and there's no point trying to stop a small and surprisingly strong toddler from hugging your leg when you're trying to go to the toilet....

Next time, a lightning speed whizz through the first year. Off to make another cuppa - and maybe get the paddles out just in case - we live in a flood risk area, so I’m ready for anything me..