Image by Marjon Besteman from Pixabay
Pregnancy is one of those experiences that everyone tells you about, but you never truly understand until you go through it yourself. It’s a mix of emotions, challenges, and small joys that shape you in ways you don’t expect. In my language we call it áldott állapot, which means “blessed state.” And despite the ups and downs, I often felt that blessing.
First Trimester: The Tough Start
I became pregnant in January, right at the start of a new year. I had so many plans, new resolutions, even the idea of trying out a new hobby each month. But the first trimester quickly reminded me that pregnancy has its own rhythm.
Instead of chasing hobbies, I found myself exhausted, unmotivated, and spending evenings curled up on the couch binge‑watching movies and series. Work felt heavy too, and the hardest part was that pregnancy isn’t even visible yet. You don’t usually share the news until you’re past this stage, so you carry the fatigue and nausea quietly.
My nausea came at night, in bed. I never vomited, but I often felt so unwell that sleep was difficult. Looking back, I was lucky I didn’t have to be in the office much — I don’t know how people manage morning sickness in front of coworkers without being able to say anything.
Even then, I reminded myself of the áldott állapot — the blessed state — and tried to hold onto the idea that this struggle was part of something bigger.
Second Trimester: Energy Burst
The second trimester was like stepping into a completely different world. Suddenly, I was full of energy, almost unstoppable. I cooked, baked, hiked, and exercised as if I wasn’t even pregnant.
I became a social butterfly, catching up with friends, going to parties (without drinking, of course), and enjoying the feeling of being out and about. It was such a contrast to the first trimester that I almost forgot how drained I had felt before.
This was the time when I felt the blessed state most strongly — glowing, active, and connected to life in a way that felt extraordinary.
Third Trimester: Slowing Down
The third trimester wasn’t terrible, but it was inconvenient. Sleep became tricky — you’re not supposed to lie on your back, and I felt heavy, like a mini whale. I slowed down, woke up often at night, and carried the weight of my growing belly everywhere. Still, it wasn’t as bad as I had feared.
Even with the discomfort, I kept reminding myself: this heaviness was part of the áldott állapot.
Working During Pregnancy
Cultural differences surprised me. In Hungary, most women stop working one or two months before their due date. I was shocked to learn that in many Western countries women work almost until the very end.
Personally, I felt unmotivated to work, especially toward the last weeks. I was able to take some time off before my due date, and because my baby was overdue, I ended up with almost a month for myself. By the end, I was bored — a feeling that disappeared completely once the baby arrived.
Overdue Baby
I remember swimming at my local pool when someone asked me when I was due. I said, “last Saturday,” and she was shocked. But yes, babies can arrive late.
People kept asking if I had given birth yet, and it became frustrating. I wanted to say, “Don’t worry, I’ll update you once the baby is out!”
Relationships, Hormones & Support
I felt normal, but apparently I wasn’t easy to deal with. Hormones probably played a big role. Pregnancy changes you in ways you don’t always notice yourself, but those around you often feel it.
This made me think about how different cultures approach pregnancy support. In many Asian traditions, especially in India where my husband is from, women are sent back to their family home during pregnancy to be nurtured, fed, and cared for. I often thought how much easier that must be — not having to worry about cleaning, cooking, or working, just focusing on rest and care.
Tip: If you’re a first‑time mom, try to enjoy yourself during this stage. You won’t get this much free time for yourself again for a long while. It’s one of those things you don’t realize you’ll miss until it’s gone.
Final Reflection
Looking back, the second trimester was my favorite, the third was manageable, and the first was the hardest. Pregnancy was a mix of exhaustion, joy, and surprises. Through it all, I carried the sense of áldott állapot — the blessed state — even when it didn’t feel easy. That phrase captures what pregnancy meant to me: a time of challenge, but also of grace.
