We found out we were pregnant in November 2023 when travelling to India from our new home in Germany. Our families couldn’t be happier. Here is a diary entry from the first trimester of motherhood.

Month: December 2023

Reflection

1. How was the overall experience of motherhood so far?
   • I was happy to recover from the two weeks of nausea and dehydration during November. Some flu bothered me during December though. I was feeling weaker and cutting down on workout intensity. I pushed for the driving exam because Shreyas’ boss asked us to shift from Bietigheim to Nuremberg. High-energy days became rare. Driving class, German class and the winter were all exerting me. I kept my spirits high but my body was at 60% output.
2. What brought me joy?
   • We cooked good biriyanis frequently and I watched a lot of sports. Driving lessons were fun as well. Introducing board games to our routine.
3. What challenges did I face, and how did I handle them?
   • The weather change gave me the flu in December. Due to pregnancy, the shortness of breath was increasing at night. Despite the cold winter, I frequently got hot flashes at night leading me to sleep in shorts.

Highlights

1. Skill needed:
   • The driving trainer and the German classmates kept me positive. I had to be creative to stay productive at work. For example, create space between meetings. Grabbing a lot of hot water or green tea to soothe my flu during work.
2. Funniest or sweetest moment:
   • It was fun to play Monopoly on New Year’s Eve with my good friend Mengjie and her husband.
3. Moods:
   • 😊 Happy with the slow work days in winter and 😴 Sleepy from the disrupted nights owing to the hot flashes.
4. Favourites:
   • Good laughs practising my German with the driving trainer in each class.

Mom’s Well-Being

1. How am I feeling emotionally?
   • Excited.
2. How am I feeling physically?
   • Slightly weaker than usual.
3. Did I do something for myself? If yes, what?
   • Tried Board games to regulate my mood in my free time.

Gratitude

1. One thing I’m grateful for in motherhood:
   • Having friends like Josslyn and Mengjie to cheer me on during pregnancy.
2. One thing I’m proud of:
   • It was amazing to be able to balance work, driving lessons, German lessons and house chores.

Looking Ahead

1. What do I want to focus on?
   • My health and baby’s wellness. Nailing the driving exam before I get heavily pregnant. Hunting apartment in Nuremberg to be able to shift by April 2024.
2. Any reminders or notes for yourself?
   • Keep noting symptoms regularly. Figure out how to improve sleep.

More on my journey into motherhood will follow in the next blogs. To read the beginning of this journey click here. Do share your experiences in the comment below.