What to Expect in Your First Pregnancy
If you’re an expecting mom or dad, congratulations! And if you’re already holding your newborn right now, welcome, you’re still very much invited to read this. Before anything else, I just want to say this: I’m not an expert. Everything here is based on what I know, what I’ve researched, what I’ve experienced, and what I personally felt. And to make things easier for you, I’ll also be sharing a simple FREE Pregnancy Guide for First-Time Parents at the end of this blog.
And the very first thing I want you to understand is this: your pregnancy journey will never look exactly like anyone else’s. What you feel, what you go through, and how you cope will always be uniquely yours. And that’s completely okay. So whatever you’re feeling right now, fear, excitement, confusion, happiness, or even all of those at the same time, is valid.
The Reality of Pregnancy That No One Really Talks About
Here in the Philippines, pregnancy comes with a mix of traditions, superstitions, opinions, and sometimes the whole barangay giving unsolicited advice. Pregnancy can also feel like a full-on budgeting challenge: checkups, vitamins, labs, and hospital fees. Meanwhile, in some other countries, things can feel more system-supported, with scheduled classes and more structured prenatal care.
People can easily say,
“Enjoy it,” or
“Don’t stress, it’s not good for the baby.”
But they don’t see what happens behind closed doors: the exhaustion, the fear, the emotional waves, the constant adjustments, the budgeting, and the endless thinking. And that’s something many first-time parents aren’t prepared for.
Pregnancy Emotions: The Rollercoaster Nobody Prepared Me For
When I was pregnant, I felt a lot of things: joy, fear, excitement, and a level of “overwhelmed” that I hadn't felt before. I felt everything, all at once, every single day.
I laughed while crying.
I cried over unavailable food.
I got super emotional over the pettiest things.
I didn’t know why I was sensitive; I just was.
I felt that I wasn’t in control anymore.
What I realized is that it doesn’t mean i'm weak. It doesn’t mean i'm dramatic. It simply means my body is doing something incredibly powerful and demanding.
Why You Feel This Way: Hormones, Mama. Hormones.
Your hormones are shifting every single day. Hormones influence your mood, thoughts, sleep, and energy. The sudden emotional highs and lows aren’t your fault. They’re not a sign of instability. They’re a sign that your body is adjusting to support a growing life.
Understanding this alone can make you feel less guilty for what you’re feeling. Your body is not just changing, it's transforming. So here are the main hormones affecting your emotions:
Estrogen – helps the baby, uterus, and placenta grow. Big mood swings happen when this rises.
Progesterone – keeps the pregnancy stable but also makes you sleepy, foggy, or emotional.
hCG – the early pregnancy hormone; it affects mood indirectly.
Cortisol – your stress hormone; naturally increases during pregnancy, making you feel irritable or on edge.
Thyroid hormones (T3/T4) – affect energy and mood; imbalance can contribute to anxiety or low mood.
And because all these changes are happening at once, even the smallest things can feel overwhelming. You may not feel like yourself, and that’s okay. People might say you’re overreacting or that you just need to control it, but what you really need is support, not judgment. You’re human, and you’re pregnant.
So now that we’ve talked about why it happens, let’s move on to what you can actually do with it. Here are simple, practical ways to manage the emotional ups and downs during pregnancy.
Emotional Management During Pregnancy
Managing your emotions during pregnancy is hard; your body is changing, your hormones are shifting, and your life is transitioning into a whole new chapter.
Here are the things that helped me personally. Hopefully, it can help you too:
- Reminding myself I’m not “being too much.” -Your body and brain are working overtime. You’re not imagining it. You have a whole human growing inside you.
- Breathing exercises or short mental breaks -Even 3 minutes helps. Sometimes I listened to calming music too.
- Staying hydrated and eating on time -Skipping meals made everything 10 times worse: mood, dizziness, and frustration. Try small, frequent meals. Budget-friendly options: banana, egg, lugaw, oatmeal, soup.
- Identifying “safe people” -Someone who listens without judgment. Someone who doesn’t say “Control it,” but instead asks, “How can I help?” But be specific about what you need when you ask for help.
- Diversions that calm my mind -Shows, music, a relaxing hobby; anything that gives your brain a moment to breathe.
- Talking to my doctor when things felt too heavy -Mental health is part of prenatal care. Nothing is too petty to mention. Therapy or counseling can help, too, and you don’t have to wait until you “break down.”
It’s really reassuring when you know what to expect. And honestly, having a support system helps more than you realize. Filipino families can be very helpful with checkups, chores, food, and emotional support. But if the support comes with too many opinions, it’s okay to set boundaries. Follow your doctor. Protect your peace, cause pregnancy is already heavy enough.
With that support in place, it also helps to know what changes are actually normal during pregnancy, so you do not end up worrying over every little thing. Here are some common pregnancy changes you can expect.
Common Pregnancy Changes: What to Expect Per Trimester
1st Trimester (Weeks 1–12)
Nausea, vomiting, fatigue
Mood swings
Frequent urination
Food aversions
2nd Trimester (Weeks 13–27)
Energy improves
Baby starts kicking
The belly becomes more obvious
Back pain, skin changes
3rd Trimester (Weeks 28–Birth)
Feeling heavier
Swelling, heartburn, shortness of breath
Possible Braxton Hicks contractions
Sleep becomes harder
Now for day-to-day self-care, especially here in the Philippines, where it is hot and humid, keep it simple. Drink water often, rest whenever you can, and try small, frequent meals. If possible, avoid long errands midday, wear breathable clothes, and take short walks during cooler hours if your doctor says it is okay.
And please, if you feel any of these, do not second-guess yourself. Call your doctor or go to the nearest hospital:
When to call your doctor (or go to the nearest hospital)
Bleeding (more than spotting)
Strong belly pain that does not go away
Fever or chills
Severe headache, blurry vision, or swelling of the face and hands
Leaking fluid from down there
Baby moves less than usual (later in pregnancy)
Hard time breathing, chest pain, or you feel very weak
And this is exactly why checkups matter. Prenatal visits help catch problems early and keep you and your baby safe, even if you feel okay. After birth, a postnatal checkup helps make sure you are healing well, too. I know they can feel overwhelming and expensive, but they’re worth it for the peace of mind.
During these checkups, your OB will usually request tests and ultrasounds to make sure everything is on track. Not everyone gets the exact same ones since it depends on your doctor, your clinic, and whether your pregnancy is low-risk or high-risk, but here are the common tests in the Philippines and when they’re usually done.
First visit / 1st trimester (as soon as pregnancy is confirmed)
CBC (Complete Blood Count): Checks for anemia and overall blood health.
Urinalysis: Checks for UTI and looks for sugar or protein in the urine.
Blood typing (ABO and Rh): Helps plan safe pregnancy care, especially if you are Rh negative.
HBsAg (Hepatitis B screening): Routine infection screening.
VDRL/RPR (Syphilis screening): Routine infection screening.
HIV test (with consent): Routine infection screening.
Early ultrasound (dating/viability): Confirms the pregnancy is in the uterus and helps estimate how many weeks along you are.
Congenital Anomaly Scan (around 18 to 22 weeks): Detailed ultrasound to check the baby’s growth and body development.
24 to 28 weeks
Glucose test (for gestational diabetes): Screens for pregnancy-related diabetes (your OB may request an OGTT or another method).
Third trimester (later months)
Repeat CBC or urinalysis (if needed): Some doctors repeat these based on symptoms, anemia risk, or clinic routine.
Additional ultrasounds (if needed): Check baby’s growth, position, fluid level, or placenta concerns.
Just a mom-to-mom tip: if budget is tight, no harm in asking your doctor which tests to prioritize. Pregnancy can get expensive here in the Philippines, but sometimes health centers or local programs offer free or low-cost tests, and if you’re honest about your budget, your doctor can help point you to the more affordable options.
Now, once you’ve got the medical side a bit more organized, let’s move on to preparing for baby’s arrival. And breathe, you don’t need the fanciest things. You don’t need everything Pinterest shows. You just need what’s necessary and what makes you feel ready. Think baby essentials, important documents, and a hospital bag. Start slowly, one step at a time.
So here are the essentials you’ll need before giving birth:
Baby Essentials
Newborn clothes
Swaddles
Diapers and wipes
Burp cloths
Bib, Mittens, Socks
Baby towel + gentle soap
Car seat (if using)
Important Documents
Valid IDs
Prenatal records
Doctor and hospital info
PhilHealth
Emergency budget
Hospital Bag
For mom:
Loose clothes
Maternity pads
Toiletries
Charger + power bank
Snacks
Slippers
For baby:
Going-home outfit
Swaddle
Diapers
For partner:
Extra shirt
Snacks
Charger
Okay, now that the bags are packed and the basics are ready, the real question is what happens when it’s go time?
Labor and Delivery: What It Really Feels Like
Labor can be long, so pace yourself
Contractions build slowly
Birth plan changes are normal
Pain management depends on the hospital
Emotions run high
Recovery takes time
And after all that, the next thing that really matters is having people around you. Build your support system early and be clear about what you need from your partner and family, whether that is help with errands, meals, checkups, or simply someone to listen. Advice will come from everywhere in Filipino homes, so again, take what is helpful, skip what adds stress, and let your doctor’s guidance lead.
If You’re Already Home With Your Newborn
Welcome to the fourth trimester, a time that’s emotional, exhausting, and beautiful all at once. I will be creating a separate post-delivery blog with more detailed tips on recovery and what to expect postpartum, but for now, remember:
You’re still adjusting. You’re still learning. And you’re allowed to take things day by day. Parenting doesn’t come with a manual; it comes with moments, mistakes, patience, and growth.
Pregnancy and early parenting come with mixed emotions, excitement, fear, joy, anxiety, and everything in between. And it will not look the same for every parent. Some will have an easier experience, some will have a tougher one, and both are valid. You figure it out little by little, day by day, through small mistakes and small wins.
Try to enjoy the tiny kicks, the quiet moments, and the simple sweetness of waiting for your baby. And when support is offered by people you trust, let them help. You deserve rest, care, and love in this season.
Whatever you are feeling is valid.
The fears…
The excitement…
The confusion…
all of it.
It is part of your motherhood story, and it is also the beginning of your and your baby’s story together.
✨ Your Pregnancy Guide & Checklist
I prepared an Ultimate Pregnancy Guide to help you organize what you need, from checkups to essentials to hospital bag items.
Grab the PDF and keep it handy, something you can open anytime when your mind feels full and you just need a simple guide. I also added a simple month-by-month guide to your baby’s growth inside the belly so you can follow along as the weeks go by.
If you want to get the full version (designed for the entire pregnancy, from tracking to birth day), including trackers and log sheets, just click here.
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