Early Pregnancy Secrets: What You Won’t Hear From Anyone Else

Moving to a new country is a whirlwind of emotions—excitement, uncertainty, and the adventure of navigating a whole new way of life. For me, this journey took a surprising turn just two months in. I found out I was pregnant.

It wasn’t something we had planned for so soon after the move, but I found myself embracing the idea of becoming a mom, even while adjusting to an unfamiliar language, culture, and meeting my husband’s family for the first time. It was overwhelming at times, but the unexpected joys of early pregnancy became part of this new chapter of life abroad.

But as I quickly realized, there are a lot of things no one tells you about those first few months. And that’s why I’m sharing these secrets with you—because no matter where you are or how prepared you think you are, early pregnancy is full of surprises.

Secret 1: Tests Are Almost Immediate

I still remember the moment I rushed to the bathroom, pregnancy test in hand, thinking I’d have to wait for what felt like forever to know the result. The box said it could take up to a few minutes, but let me tell you—those tests can light up like a Christmas tree almost instantly. As soon as I was done peeing, I knew. The lines appeared right away, much faster than I expected, and there I was, staring at proof of my pregnancy.

What really surprised me was how fast it happened, especially since I was only a day late. In most cases, being one day off doesn’t ring any alarm bells, but I had this gut feeling. Maybe it was the extreme hot flashes I had been experiencing—sudden waves of heat that made no sense in the middle of the day. I didn’t expect a result so quickly, but there it was, undeniable.

Secret 2: Being Pregnant Without Looking Pregnant is Tough

One of the hardest parts of early pregnancy is managing the excitement and the anxiety without anyone knowing. You want to share the news with everyone, but you also want to be cautious, just in case things don’t go as planned. And yet, even though you’re not showing, your body feels completely different. The hormones surge, and it’s like PMS on overdrive—bloated, nauseous, uncomfortable, and exhausted all at once.

Meanwhile, everyone’s wondering what’s wrong, but you can’t quite tell them yet. It’s like living in a bubble, and the only person you can really lean on is your significant other, who’s riding the emotional roller coaster with you. For me, the worst part was the smells. Cooking onions and peppers? Forget about it. The mere thought would send me running for fresh air. I survived on margarita pizza. 

Secret 3: Not Everyone Gets Intense Cravings

Before I got pregnant, I always thought cravings were like what you see in those sappy Hollywood movies—where pregnant women are devouring pickles dipped in chocolate or creating some outrageous concoctions. But I’m here to tell you that for some of us, that’s not the reality. I didn’t experience those overwhelming urges to have something right now or feel like I’d burst into tears if I didn’t get my hands on it.

Sure, there were things I thought I’d give a try, but it wasn’t anything dramatic. If I wanted pancakes, I’d make them. But when I finally sat down to eat, it wasn’t some euphoric moment like I’d been missing out on pancakes my whole life. In fact, most of the time, I couldn’t even finish what I made or halfway through, I didn’t want it anymore. And you know what? That’s okay!

Not everything you see on TV or in the media is everyone’s reality, and pregnancy cravings are no different. We all experience this journey in our own unique way, and that’s perfectly normal.

Secret 4: Pregnancy Completely Shifts What Level of Disrespect You’ll Take

Pregnancy changes you in more ways than just physically—it shifts your entire perspective on relationships. Suddenly, the way friends and family used to treat you, especially if it was negative or disrespectful, is no longer something you’re willing to tolerate. You’re growing a new life inside you, and with that comes a heightened awareness of what kind of environment you want to create for your child.

As a mother-to-be, I began to realize that raising another human meant thinking critically about the influences around them. I started reflecting on how I learned from observing the adults in my life, how family and friends treated one another, and it made me question—who do I want my child to learn from? Are these people kind, wise, and capable of being a positive influence in my child’s life?

For me, that realization hit as soon as I saw that positive test. I knew right away that anyone who didn’t have a good relationship with me or my husband wouldn’t have access to our child. It’s a protective instinct that kicks in, and suddenly, the boundaries you might have been hesitant to set before are drawn crystal clear.

Embrace the Journey, One Day at a Time

To all the new moms-to-be reading this: take a deep breath. Everything you’re feeling—whether it’s excitement, fear, confusion, or joy—is completely normal. Pregnancy is a wild ride, full of ups and downs, and no matter where you are in your stage of life, you’re doing an incredible job. Just remember, you’re learning and growing right alongside your baby. There’s no perfect way to navigate this experience, so give yourself grace and take it one day at a time.

I’d love to hear from you! Every pregnancy journey is unique, and sharing our stories helps us feel less alone. What was your early pregnancy like? Did you experience the same rush with your test results as I did, or did you have to wait in suspense? How did you handle being pregnant without looking pregnant—did you find the smells and discomfort as challenging as I did? And what about cravings—did you have those Hollywood-style cravings, or were they more subtle, like mine? Finally, have you found yourself rethinking relationships now that you’re expecting? How have you set boundaries for the people in your child’s life?

Let’s connect and share our experiences in the comments. I can’t wait to hear your thoughts and learn from each other!