I don't mean 'birthing' the baby, I mean, how did you find the 0-12 months stage? I seem to be one of few mothers in my circle that has really found it hard and there's been very few aspects that I've enjoyed. I'm back to work next week, daughter is almost 11 months and honestly my maternity leave hasn't been what I'd been hoping and dreaming. First few months were just horrific, she screamed all the time, wasn't really interested in feeding so that was never a comfort, whenever she was awake she was screaming and nothing would settle her so we never even had a nice little 'newborn bubble' because she was so miserable. She has screamed in the pram and car seat since day 1 and still doesn't like them. She's got milk and soya allergies and seems to be typical of babies with that, she's very fussy and hard work. Basically what I'm saying is I feel like I've missed out on the baby/ maternity experience that I always longed for. Every day I just can't wait until bedtime, and even then the nights are still bad and she still has me up anything from 3-20 times per night. I love her but I really hate motherhood and I so wish she was more content. Even now at 11 months she hardly goes 5 minutes without crying throughout the day. She flips like a switch, she'll be playing with something and then out of no where will start hysterically crying. We don't have family anywhere nearby which doesn't help, we do get out and about to groups which she enjoys generally. Hoping the next few years will be easier, even though I know for a lot of people toddler stage is worse!