I didn’t plan to write about my pregnancy or my journey into motherhood. But somewhere between late-night Googling, quiet medical appointments in a language that wasn’t my own, and holding my newborn in the stillness of a Dutch winter morning, I realised how alone this journey can feel, especially when you’re doing it far away from home. This blog is my attempt to put words to that experience: the questions, the fears, the surprises, and the quiet moments of strength I didn’t know I had.

We were fortunate in one way: two of our close friends had babies before us, so pregnancy didn’t feel entirely unfamiliar. We knew where to begin, what the next steps looked like, and what questions we might need answers to. But the early weeks of pregnancy are also marked by silence. Before week twelve, we decided to keep the news to ourselves, which meant that even though guidance existed around us, we couldn’t reach for it yet. I remember feeling informed, yet strangely alone, aware of what was coming, but unable to talk about what I was feeling.

Even with a roadmap in my head, pregnancy in the Netherlands felt different from what I expected. The healthcare system was calm and trust-based, with midwives leading most appointments and gynaecologists stepping in only when needed. Most forms, brochures, and booklets were in Dutch, and I didn’t have the patience to translate everything, so Google Lens became my constant companion. The midwives and doctors sometimes struggled to explain medical terms in English, but they always tried to make sure I understood what was happening with the baby and me. It was a learning curve: balancing new routines, unfamiliar language, and the quiet reassurance that everything was on track.

Writing this blog is my way of documenting a journey that feels both ordinary and extraordinary. From navigating appointments in Dutch to celebrating first kicks and quiet milestones, I want to capture it all while it’s still fresh in my mind. This is less about advice and more about creating a record of what it’s like to experience pregnancy and early motherhood in real time, in a place far from the familiar.

This is just the beginning of documenting my journey, and I know it won’t always be perfect or complete. But for now, it feels good to put these experiences into words and hold onto them while they’re still fresh.