If you've always had high standards for housework, accepting that they may need to slip in the early weeks can relieve the pressure on you. You might fear you'll be the only one turning up there with milk stains down your front and permanent bags underneath your eyes. You might imagine that everyone else will be calm, controlled, and managing much better than you are. It's only when you get there and find that there's someone even more harassed than you who has a baby who sleeps even more badly than yours that you can begin to share the experiences of new parenthood with other people going though it just like you. Ask your health visitor about the groups that meet in your area and make the effort to go along.
Loneliness can be a real problem for many new mothers.
A touch of adult company and some friendship can be a lifeline. If someone offers a hand with the ironing, say yes. All of these things can help. While many new parents find that they can't relax enough to fall asleep themselves while the baby is napping, they can award themselves a break. Whether it was washing my hair or putting my feet up and reading a book, or calling a friend for a chat, it was a way to remind myself that I still had a life.