Preparing For Parenthood

No-one told me…

I hear this so often from new parents. 

They were looking forward to the end of pregnancy and meeting their baby.

They had one of the most momentous experiences of their life (childbirth!) and emerged on the other side. Hurrah!

And now… all is not what they thought it would be. 

“Why did no one tell me?”

You’re preparing to welcome your baby Earthside, and you’re starting to imagine what life will be like when they arrive. You’re excited to meet them… but also feel quietly anxious. How will you manage the lack of sleep? What do you actually do if they cry? 

If you’re feeling uncertain of what to expect in the early days with your baby, you’re not alone. You’ve probably heard some horror stories about babies that never sleep or never stop crying, but you haven’t actually spent that much time around babies in real life! Or even if you have, perhaps it’s just been a visit for an hour or 2, or later down the line when things are more settled.  

The reality of life with a newborn isn’t really SEEN in our society. Early parenting happens behind closed doors: we live in a very segregated world now. Everyone is in their own little box, worrying if they’re doing it right and wondering why they feel so overwhelmed. And across the country, most parents are feeling the same way – yet we still just don’t seem to talk about what to expect in advance. 

Because of that, you suppose your life will just carry on as it is now, except less pregnant, and with a baby on the side. You’ve done so much to prepare for birth; considering your choices, exploring what could unfold in birth, arming yourself with some tools… but with new family life, you’re just hoping for the best. 

The truth you need to know is, becoming a parent changes YOU. There’s actually a word to encapsulate the emotional changes, the identity shift, you’ll experience: Matrescence. It was coined in 1973 but still hasn’t made it in to most dictionaries in 2026! Becoming a parent is a huge, life-altering experience. Your transition to ‘Mother’ starts in pregnancy (maybe you’ve started to notice already?) but we literally don’t have the words to explain the many changes we experience when we become a parent and so people arrive on the other side feeling confused, isolated and like they’re just getting it all wrong. 

They aren’t – the conversations just weren’t being had and they were left under-prepared. 

But it doesn’t have to feel like this for you. You can go into parenthood feeling prepared, grounded, and confident in what’s normal—and confident in yourself. You don’t have to go in to this blind. 

This is exactly why I created ‘Preparing for Parenthood’.

Preparing for Parenthood is my online, on-demand workshop designed to help you step into parenthood feeling calm, confident, and prepared. It gives you a clear, honest understanding of what to expect – from your baby and from yourself.

This workshop focuses on you as parents – especially mothers, but partners too. You’ll gain insight into your own needs, anticipate common challenges, and feel prepared for the emotional and practical shifts ahead.

You’ll also get honest, reassuring guidance on what to really expect from life with a newborn, beyond the basics (because let’s be honest, nappy changes aren’t that tricky after you’ve done the first one!). The focus is on normal baby behaviour and the realities of those early days – grounded in an understanding of what babies are biologically wired to expect, so that you feel confident and reassured when you get there.

This isn’t about giving a one-size-fits-all set of answers – because there isn’t just one “right” way to navigate life as a new family, just as there isn’t one “right” way to birth a baby. Instead, you’ll learn practical tools and develop a supportive plan to meet challenges as they arise, so you’re never left feeling unsure or overwhelmed.

This course has been shaped by the many conversations I’ve had with parents who wished they’d felt more prepared for life after birth, and by my work as a doula supporting families through this life-changing journey. Becoming a parent is about so much more than having a positive birth. It’s about the bigger picture: nurturing your confidence, strengthening your connection, and setting both you and your baby up to thrive as you grow together.

This is your journey. The way you adapt, grow, and discover what works for you will become one of your greatest strengths. Do the groundwork now, and you can step into those early days feeling calmer, more confident, and fully equipped to create a family life that feels right for you.

The modules

Part 1 – The Fourth Trimester: Understanding Your Baby

• What is the fourth trimester? Understand the fourth trimester so you can recognise what’s normal and respond to your baby with confidence.
• Breastfeeding Essentials Understand what babies are biologically wired to expect, and how this shapes feeding, sleep, and behaviour—however you choose to feed.

Part 2 – Becoming a Parent: Supporting Yourself

• The five pillars of postnatal recovery: Rest, nourishment, touch, support, and nature. 
• Strengthen your relationship: Navigate changes in your partnership and build a supportive connection. 
• Create your sanctuary: Build a postnatal plan that keeps you nourished, grounded, and confident.

If you’re ready to feel more prepared, supported, and confident as you step into parenthood, Preparing for Parenthood is launching soon.