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Living in the Space Between Fear and Hope

Pregnancy doesn’t just change your body—it quietly takes over your mind too. Suddenly, there’s always a thousand thoughts running in the background. What if this isn’t safe? What if I do something wrong? What if I miss something important? And if you’re an overthinker like me, those thoughts don’t knock politely—they rush in all at once. I was constantly stressed about my baby’s safety. Every little decision felt heavy. Before eating anything, I would check multiple times—labels, ingredients, Google searches—and still feel unsure. I’d message or call my doctor for the smallest doubts, just to hear reassurance that everything was okay. Even then, the worry never fully left. I became extra cautious with everything I did. Simple daily activities suddenly felt like risks I had to carefully calculate. I was always mindful of how I moved, what I touched, what I ate—constantly making sure I wasn’t harming my baby in any way or causing even the slightest discomfort. Doctor visits turned into l...

The Body I Met Along the Way and Learned to Listen To

Gaining weight was never a concern for me. I knew my body was doing something far more important, it was making space for my little one. It was becoming their first home. As long as my baby was safe, growing, and healthy, everything else felt secondary. For the longest time, my pregnancy wasn’t visible to the outside world. Nobody could really tell I was pregnant until I was about seven months in. That’s when the bump finally made its presence known, when my body quietly announced what it had been doing all along. Stretch marks didn’t worry me much either. I looked at them as signs of expansion, not flaws. The only part that truly tested my patience was the constant itchiness around my belly. It was uncomfortable at times, but manageable—good moisturizers and nourishing oils became a part of my daily ritual, small moments of care for a body that was working tirelessly. When I look at my body now, it stretched, softened, and shifted in ways I never imagined—but it did so with so much lo...

From “No Thanks” to “I Need This”: Navigating Food Aversions & Cravings 😋

Unlike many pregnancy myths, food aversions and cravings are very real—and they don’t follow a rulebook. They can show up in any trimester, disappear suddenly, or change overnight. There’s no fixed timeline, and every pregnancy truly has its own story. For me, the first trimester was all about survival. Morning sickness wasn’t just a phrase—it was my everyday reality. I felt nauseous almost all the time, and eating wasn’t enjoyable; it was something I had to do. Things slowly shifted in the second and third trimesters, when food aversions and occasional cravings made their appearance. Strong smells became my biggest trigger. The aroma of meat or fish, overpowering fragrances, or even the smell of food cooking for too long would instantly make me feel uneasy. Standing in the kitchen while something was being prepared felt impossible on many days. Thankfully, like most pregnancy phases, this too passed with time. Unlike what many people expect, I didn’t have any fixed cravings throughout...

Pregnancy Myths and Reality 🤭

As soon as you’re pregnant, one thing becomes very clear — everyone suddenly has advice to give. From relatives to neighbors to even strangers, you’re constantly told what to eat, what not to do, and what apparently predicts your baby’s future. Just like every pregnant woman, I heard my fair share of myths too. Some of the most common ones were: You should be eating for two Your baby bump shows the gender of your baby Heartburn means your baby has a lot of hair Frequent ultrasounds harm the baby Drinking coconut water will make your baby fair and give them lots of hair Sounds familiar, right? Well — these are all myths. “ You should be eating for two ” During early pregnancy, many women can barely eat for themselves because of nausea, food aversions, and fatigue. So how can anyone expect them to eat for two? Pregnancy doesn’t mean doubling your food intake — it means focusing on good nutrition. Eating balanced, nourishing meals is more than enough for both mom and baby. “ Your baby bum...

That First Scan and a Beating Heart 💓

November 14, 2024  — The First Scan One thing you should definitely know about pregnancy is this: nothing ever comes with just one emotion. Every step, every appointment, every small milestone brings along a whirlwind of feelings—nervousness, excitement, happiness, tears, and a quiet fear you can’t quite explain, all at once. And this day was no different. After weeks of mixed emotions, we finally found ourselves at the hospital for our first scan—and this time, my husband was with me. Just having him beside me instantly made everything feel a little lighter. In India, it isn’t very common for soon-to-be fathers to enter the scan room. Usually, it’s just the mother and the doctor. But we desperately wanted to experience this moment together. After a bit of convincing, the doctor agreed—my husband could come in, but only after the scan was done, just to see the baby. I walked into the room feeling both nervous and excited, my heart racing as I lay down on the bed. The doctor applied...

First Trimester Reality 🥹

When I first found out I was pregnant and took the test, I was already nine weeks into my first trimester. Looking back, it suddenly made sense why my body had been feeling so different all those weeks. Those early weeks were exhausting in a way I had never experienced before. I was tired all the time. Even a few minutes of work felt like too much. I’d sit down with the intention of being productive, only to find myself longing to lie down again. All I wanted was to curl up in bed and stay there—safe, still, and resting. Then came the so-called morning sickness . A name that honestly doesn’t do justice to the reality. The nausea didn’t care about the time of day. It showed up anytime—when I ate, when I didn’t eat, when I smelled something strong, or sometimes for no clear reason at all. It lingered through the day, quietly reminding me that my body was changing in ways I couldn’t control. And then there were the emotions . One moment I’d be smiling, laughing, feeling light and hopeful...

Love, Distance & A Positive Test ❤️

Who I told First? It’s obvious. My Husband! The moment I found out, I couldn’t keep it to myself—not even for a second. I wanted him to know first. The only problem? He was abroad. Despite the time difference, I kept calling him, my heart racing faster with every unanswered ring. He was fast asleep. I called again. And again. Finally, after what felt like forever, he answered—his voice heavy with sleep. The first thing I said was, “I’m going to video call you right now. Please answer. I want to show you something.” Before he could even ask what, I hung up and video-called him. There he was—lights off, sleepy face, eyes barely open. I flipped the camera and showed him the test result. For a second, he just stared. Processing. Silent. That second felt longer than it should have. My heart sank. A thousand thoughts rushed through my mind. What if he wasn’t ready? What if this was too sudden? What if this moment didn’t feel the way I imagined it would? Overwhelmed by my own fears, I disconn...