The Unexpected News
I never thought I would have the privilege of being a mother. It was something my friends and I would talk about now and then — a “maybe one day” kind of thing. The idea would come and go, always met with, “But I’m not ready.”
But are we ever really ready?
When I found out I was pregnant, it was a shock. I couldn’t be. But five tests later, the inevitable was confirmed — I was going to be a mom. What that truly meant, I had no idea. Once the initial fear began to settle, something shifted. That scary uncertainty turned into something magical. Wow… I’m going to be a mom.
Each trimester brought a mix of calm and questions, but to be honest, I had a pretty smooth pregnancy. It was, in the best way possible, uneventful. I didn’t get morning sickness. My feet never swelled. I didn’t develop stretch marks. I stayed fairly active and walked right up until the last days. Still, I was considered high-risk because of my diabetes, so I had to attend checkups every two weeks — and even spent some time in hospital for monitoring. It wasn’t all glowing… but it wasn’t all hard either.
One of the most emotional moments came early on — during my first ultrasound at the GP’s office. I was only a few weeks along, and all we could see was a tiny speck on the screen. But right then and there, I knew. I wanted this little peanut more than anything. That’s when it became real.
Until, of course, my water broke a month early — and I hadn’t even packed a hospital bag. Yup. Totally unprepared. And as if that weren’t enough, we were in the middle of moving. While I was in hospital, my partner and brother were literally moving our things into a new apartment. It all worked out — somehow — and became one more reminder that panicking doesn’t solve much. Things have a way of coming together.
Nine months isn’t a long time to prepare for a baby, but it can feel like a lifetime of waiting for that first cuddle.
The longest short Journey
When your bump shows up before your baby registery does.
First Trimester
The first Flutters
Naps, nerves, mood swings, and tiny beginnings.
You may feel tired, emotional, and bloated. Some women get morning sickness, others don’t. I felt overwhelmed at first — and that’s totally normal.
- Snack small and often to help with nausea.
- Rest every chance you get — your body is doing so much already.
- Emotions may run high (I cried over toast once). Ride the waves gently.
It might not look like much is happening, but your body’s working overtime from the very beginning.
Second Trimester
That glow
Baby bump, stretch clothes, and quiet kicks.
This is when things often settle a bit. Energy tends to return, and that first flutter of movement? Pure magic.
- The bump starts to show, and maternity clothes suddenly make sense.
- Stretching, walking, and gentle nesting helped me feel more in tune.
- You might feel backaches or round ligament pain — listen to your body and go slow.
This is a great time to start planning — but don’t overdo it. Your baby doesn’t need perfect.
Third Trimester
Almost there
Belly laughts, backaches, and the big feelings.
Its go time! You may feel breathless, heavy, emotional — or surprisingly calm. I went from “I’ve got this” to “Where is my hospital bag?” in one week.
- Sleep might get tricky. Pregnancy pillows (and naps) saved me.
- Swelling is real — elevate your feet and stay hydrated.
- Baby’s kicks feel stronger, and things get very, very real.
It’s okay if you feel so ready and so not ready at the same time. I sure did.
Your Body Is Changing — But So Are You
It’s not just your belly growing — it’s your strength, your softness, and your sense of self.
I expected pregnancy to be physically hard, but honestly — it wasn’t too bad.
Loose, comfy clothes from the start.
Letting go of the pressure to “glow” every day.
Giving myself credit for every little milestone.
Reminding myself that changing doesn’t mean breaking.
Your body is shifting, stretching, and softening — not to break, but to become a home for someone new.
Wait, What Do I Eat Now?
Being diabetic, I was already used to thinking before eating — and thankfully, I didn’t experience intense cravings. But pregnancy still meant learning how to nourish my body while keeping my blood sugar steady.
Eating every few hours (even small bites)
Combining carbs with protein
Keeping snack packs ready — always
Asking questions at every appointment
If possible, consider switching to a continuous glucose monitor (CGM) — I didn’t have one (they can be pricey), but it would have made a big difference
Every pregnancy is different — what works for someone else might not work for you, and that’s okay.
the What – If Spiral is Real
Even with a smooth pregnancy, the fears crept in.
What if something goes wrong? What if I didn’t catch something in time? What if I’m not ready?
The what-ifs are part of it. So are the deep breaths.
What helped me:
- Talking it out, even when I felt silly
- Writing things down instead of Googling at 2 a.m.
- Trusting that doing my best was enough
- Prayer — and putting it all in God’s hands
Side Note: It really will be okay.
Planning, Nesting, and Mild Panic
I thought I had more time. We had just secured a new apartment but hadn’t started moving yet — so my hospital bag was still sitting unpacked, and I was mentally buying myself a few more weeks. Then one day, I felt a strange trickle — nothing dramatic, just enough to make me pause. It wasn’t the “gushing water” moment I’d seen in movies. At first, I thought I’d maybe peed myself… but something in me knew it wasn’t that.
We rushed to the hospital, and the doctors confirmed it: I had a rupture. From there, it was a waiting game — either I’d stay under hospital supervision until full term, or they’d induce. (More on that in the next chapter.)
And while I recovered in the hospital, my partner and brother were busy hauling boxes and furniture into our new place — pure chaos, but somehow, everything came together.
Mini Checklist Heading (A Few Things I Wish I Had Ready)
- My hospital bag (pack it by 36 weeks just in case!)
- A list of emergency contacts
- A nursing bra or two
- My go-to snacks
- Something comfy for after delivery
- A reminder: don’t stress — babies don’t care if you packed fancy lotion or not
Don’t panic — babies don’t follow our timelines, but they always arrive right on time.
Things I Wish I Knew as a First-Time Mom
Looking back, I wish I had slowed down a little more and soaked it all in — not just the scans and milestones, but the quiet moments too.
Here are a few things I wish I’d known (or done more of):
- I wish I journaled more — even short notes
- I wish I took more baby bump photos, even when I didn’t feel cute
- I wish I stressed less and trusted my instincts more
- I wish I prepared emotionally as much as I did physically
- I wish I gave myself more grace — I was doing my best
If you’re reading this, you’re already doing better than you think.
What Support Really Looks Like
Support during pregnancy isn’t always grand gestures — sometimes it’s the small, quiet things that mean the most.
Whether you’re the mom or the partner, know this: being present, being kind, and being willing goes a long way.
I’m grateful to say I had — and still have — a very supportive partner.
In fact, I think at times he was more excited than I was.
I’ll never forget watching him during the scans, lighting up as our baby appeared on the screen.
His joy made those moments even more magical.
For Partners — Here’s What Help Can Look Like:
Ask what she needs before assuming
Come to appointments when you can
Be patient with the emotional rollercoaster
Don’t minimize how she’s feeling — even if it’s over socks
Help pack the hospital bag (or at least know where it is!)
Speak gently, hug often, bring snacks
Tell her she’s doing amazing — even if she rolls her eye
From the Mama’s Side:
You may not always know how to ask for help — and that’s okay.
Just having someone say, “I’ve got this part,” can make all the difference.
Support isn’t fixing everything — it’s showing up with love, again and again.
If You Don’t Have Support Right Now
f you’re navigating this journey mostly on your own — whether by choice, circumstance, or loss — I just want to say:
I see you.
Pregnancy can feel overwhelming even with help.
Doing it without a support system? That takes a kind of strength the world doesn’t talk about enough.
While I had love around me, I also had my own quiet ache — I deeply wished my mom and dad could have been there with me.
Their absence was felt in every milestone, every scan, every moment I wanted to share.
So if your experience feels a little lonelier, please know:
- You’re not doing it wrong.
- You’re not invisible.
- And you absolutely deserve care, encouragement, and rest.
If you’re carrying the load alone — you’re not alone here. I’d love for you to reach out. You’re safe in this space