Most women no longer expect to be the sole childminder, and many couples agree that parents should be equal partners. When you decide to have a baby you and your partner should view it as a contract: a contract that states that you are equally responsible for rearing the child you have conceived.

Try to discuss and agree with each other about the roles you are going to play. It’s also a good idea to be clear about your attitudes to mothering and fathering.

Your relationship with your parents will probably alter and you may find that you grow away from your childless friends and seek other friendships with other parents who are going through the same experiences as you.