ook at the front cover of any parenting book and what do you see? Glowing mothers-to-be, or pristine, beautifully-behaved children.

But the reality is, your pregnancy might be a sweaty, moody rollercoaster, and your children will almost certainly spend the first few years of their lives covered in food, tears and worse. And the experience is no less magical for it.

In this no-holds-barred collection of essays, prominent women authors, journalists and TV personalities explore the truth about becoming mothers. Covering topics from labour to the breastapo, twins to IVF, weaning to post-birth sex, and with writers including Cathy Kelly, Adele Parks, Kathy Lette and Lucy Porter (and many more), Things I Wish I d Known is a reassuring, moving and often hilarious collection that will speak to mothers – and mothers-to-be – everywhere.