You probably pictured the scene a thousand times: no matter the season, the sun is shining, and you gingerly step over the threshold with your sleeping newborn nestled in your arms. The house is immaculate, and the rooms are filled with fresh flowers, balloons, cards and packages. In the fantasy, you're looking as fresh and relaxed as your child is cherubic and peaceful.

In reality, your partner probably will be carrying the baby because you need to hold on to something as you walk through the front door, as it's just not comfortable for your legs to be together. The house is not likely to be clean, because labor may have come on more quickly or more intensely than you imagined. And as for the party atmosphere, well, with "drive through" deliveries, you probably haven't yet had a chance to alert the world about your new arrival.

The hardest thing, though, is that you may be more anxious and tearful than calm and radiant. And that is one thing you really didn't expect. Pregnancy and childbirth aren't easy. A lot has happened to your body, and a lot of other changes are still to come as your body returns itself to the nonpregnant state. As you probably realize after experiencing pregnancy, some of these changes can also wreak havoc with your emotional life. Knowing what to really expect, and when and how to get help if you need it, should make the transition into parenthood a little easier.

You've had your baby. Things are not the same anymore. Period. Your life is suddenly completely rearranged by a person who probably weighs a little more than a bag of flour. Not only are you responsible for this tiny being, you're probably feeling pretty unusual: simultaneously exhausted, excited, emotionally overwrought and in a hormonal frenzy. Your body is also weary – labor and delivery are considered by some to be as draining as a marathon – and you probably have an assortment of aches and pains.

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