Oooh, MrsTittleMouse, well done and congratulations on the safe arrival of your baby! You delivered her so you are cut out (erm, bad words here!) for this birth business. You just proved it. We all are. Just sometimes things aren't as straightforward as we might hope. Anyway, I hope you're enjoying your new baby.
Tostaky, it is hard. There's no doubt about that.
But there are things you can do to prepare. You could establish now by discussing with your DP/H how you think your lives will change and what good qualities you each have that will cope with those changes.
You could establish now who will do what even in the early weeks. For example, if you're breastfeeding and he's on paternity leave, perhaps he could do the nappies? Or let him know how much housework you think isn't going to be done!
You could cook a few meals in advance and put them in the freezer. That'll save a bit of work when you're very tired in the first few weeks. These few weeks are a blur anyway.
It is all very absorbing and you might find your DH is absorbed by his new baby too.
It takes a while to adjust and things all seem up in the air for a long time. But take your time, take it a day at a time and gradually your new life - because that's what it seems like at times, a whole new life - will settle and you'll each find your way as a team.
Be positive. And take it a baby at a time!
I wouldn't say it gets easier as they get older. It's different each day. Some days are a doddle. Some are really hard. With children, the hard days seem magnified somehow because it's your child and your responsibility.