![Julia Watson.](/web/20161106044629im_/http://www.essentialbaby.com.au/content/dam/images/g/s/h/n/4/b/image.related.landscape.380x253.gshn48.png/1478172678014.jpg)
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6 things I thought I'd do on maternity leave (and didn't)
There were a number of things I thought I was going to achieve during my months at home. As it happens, the reality was rather different.
![<i></i>](/web/20161106044629im_/http://www.essentialbaby.com.au/content/dam/images/g/p/t/6/2/0/image.related.wideLandscape.460x259.1m6gas.gmyl99.png/1467026106376.jpg)
The phenomenon of phantom pregnancy kicks
'Phantom pregnancy kicks’ are encountered by many mums months - or even years - after their pregnancy is over.
![<i></i>](/web/20161106044629im_/http://www.essentialbaby.com.au/content/dam/images/4/1/3/u/8/image.related.landscape.120x80.gj0208.gmyl99.png/1467378375976.jpg)
![fall lead](/web/20161106044629im_/http://www.essentialbaby.com.au/content/dam/images/3/e/k/7/m/image.related.landscape.120x80.3ek42.gmyl99.png/1457068872374.jpg)
![Ovarian cancer survivor Margaret Rose.](/web/20161106044629im_/http://www.essentialbaby.com.au/content/dam/images/3/3/e/w/0/image.related.landscape.120x80.33hwl.gmyl99.png/1457068872374.jpg)
!["I would estimate that about two or three women out of every hundred will experience [vaginismus] during their lifetime" ...](/web/20161106044629im_/http://www.essentialbaby.com.au/content/dam/images/2/x/l/c/z/image.related.landscape.120x80.2xlcq.gmyl99.png/1457068872374.jpg)
Latest
!["I was depressed, a survivor of a bad marriage and overweight."](/web/20161106044629im_/http://www.essentialbaby.com.au/content/dam/images/g/s/b/k/t/1/image.related.landscape.300x200.gsbksn.png/1477481504197.jpg)
I lost weight and found health and happiness
There are no magic pills - in fact, there's no magic at all.
![<i></i>](/web/20161106044629im_/http://www.essentialbaby.com.au/content/dam/images/g/s/a/z/b/8/image.related.landscape.300x200.gsazhw.png/1477449708885.jpg)
The one thing you stop feeling when you become a parent
Boredom is something parents can't relate to. Well, not really, anyway.
![<i></i>](/web/20161106044629im_/http://www.essentialbaby.com.au/content/dam/images/g/s/a/6/w/a/image.related.landscape.300x200.gsa6t1.png/1477369761816.jpg)
Men, it's time to talk
What is going on in if our men are made to feel embarrassed by their feelings? We don't need them to "harden up", we need them to "open up".
![Olivia Turner and her daughters, Bella and Phoebe.](/web/20161106044629im_/http://www.essentialbaby.com.au/content/dam/images/g/s/8/c/k/c/image.related.landscape.300x200.gs7s6o.png/1477273595803.jpg)
'Doctors said pregnancy could kill me - two weeks later I learnt I was expecting'
A mum was told not to get pregnant again as it could kill her – only to find out she was expecting just two weeks later.
![Jessica Biel, a true multitasker.](/web/20161106044629im_/http://www.essentialbaby.com.au/content/dam/images/g/s/7/r/9/x/image.related.landscape.300x200.gs7raq.png/1477020174586.jpg)
Jessica Biel eats in the shower and I totally understand where she's coming from
With one quick instagram post, actress Jessica Biel confirmed what all mums know to be true.
![Heather Longdon and her son, Kian.](/web/20161106044629im_/http://www.essentialbaby.com.au/content/dam/images/g/s/4/n/o/q/image.related.landscape.300x200.gs4nnu.png/1476751473301.jpg)
She was told it was just a cold - but now she may never speak again
When Heather Longdon went to her GP with a runny nose and tickly cough she was repeatedly told there was nothing to worry about.
![Once the dust of depression has settled, it's clear just how much damage has been done.](/web/20161106044629im_/http://www.essentialbaby.com.au/content/dam/images/g/s/2/c/z/r/image.related.landscape.300x200.gs1yet.png/1476793311493.jpg)
Depression made me a crummy friend - but I'm working on it
Getting well and falling in love with my son has brought a feeling words simply can't describe. But I didn't expect it to be a little heartbreaking, too.
![Australian blogger Constance Hall.](/web/20161106044629im_/http://www.essentialbaby.com.au/content/dam/images/g/n/q/e/h/b/image.related.landscape.300x200.gs0sx7.png/1476577103655.jpg)
Constance Hall gets my vote
That Constance Hall is happy enough to admit she's not perfect makes her perfect.
![Suddenly, self-nurturing doesn't appear selfish.](/web/20161106044629im_/http://www.essentialbaby.com.au/content/dam/images/g/r/y/m/k/a/image.related.landscape.300x200.grym73.png/1476152895755.jpg)
I'm breaking up with my mother's guilt - and you should too
We all know that saying – "you can't pour from an empty vessel" but for so long I assumed that didn't apply to me.
![Maria and her three sons at a family wedding recently.](/web/20161106044629im_/http://www.essentialbaby.com.au/content/dam/images/g/r/v/8/n/k/image.related.landscape.300x200.grv66z.png/1476171321463.jpg)
'No excuses' mum admits there actually are excuses
Maria Kang become famous in 2013 after showing off her super fit physique while posing with her three young children and asking mums everywhere: "What's your excuse?".
![Don't want to go for coffee? Just say 'No'.](/web/20161106044629im_/http://www.essentialbaby.com.au/content/dam/images/g/r/u/1/6/t/image.related.landscape.300x200.gru0yg.png/1478134168213.jpg)
The art of the 'no sandwich'
"I'm at a work social event and I don't want to be. I suspect I'm not alone."
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