Becoming a mum is an exciting time. If it's your first baby, you're bound to be feeling a mixture of emotions and preparing to deal with a lot of changes - physically, emotionally and within your lifestyle too. In this column we will aim to regularly look at the changes and challenges that specifically face expectant and new mums. We'll look at such issues as planning for a baby all the way through to being a new mum and considering going back to work.

We all know mums have a number of roles to play. They are not just a mum, but also might be a wife, lover, friend, employee, daughter, and not forgetting being their own person either! Juggling these roles isn't easy and it takes a bit of adapting to cope with the change and shift in emphasis that comes with being a mum. Whatever stage in life, there will always be change and new chances ahead of you. So whether you're expecting your first baby and are feeling a bit daunted about what lies ahead, a busy mum looking to get back to work, or perhaps your children are growing up fast and you're looking at re-focusing on your own time, Horizons Regained can help you to re-define your life and cope with these changes.

I am a qualified Life Coach Consultant and owner of Horizons Regained. I have 19 years of finance and business experience and myself decided to change careers to become a life coach after a session of coaching helped me to re-define my life. I specialise in helping women address the major changes in their lives to create the life they love. I also provide coaching for small businesses and business start-ups too. As well as holding a Life Coaching Diploma, I'm also a qualified management accountant and fully accredited professional member of the Wellbeing Network.

If you're starting a family soon you'll no doubt be considering how a baby will impact your life. Planning for change can fall into 3 main stages through this exciting journey:

• Preparation - Is now the right time? Consider your health, age, financial stability and whether there are other things you want to accomplish in your life.

• When You're Pregnant - Planning to maintain a healthy and enjoyable pregnancy, being aware of how you're changing physically and emotionally.

• Life After Birth - Coping with the new arrival, deciding if you're going to go back to work, child care issues, adapting to your new lifestyle and new roles.

In the next update, we'll look in more detail about the first of these stages.

For more information on how Horizons Regained can help you create your future and love the life you live, visit www.horizonsregained.com