Introduction: Between Joy and Loneliness

Pregnancy is a miracle—but sometimes it also feels like a quiet struggle. Especially when you’re living in a new city, far away from your family, your closest friends, and everything that usually makes you feel safe.

This is how my pregnancy began: full of excitement, yet overshadowed by a homesickness I had never felt this deeply before.

Being Pregnant in a New Place: Why the First Weeks Felt So Hard

When I found out I was pregnant, I was the oldest girl in my study program—surrounded by young, carefree students who were miles away from topics like morning sickness, exhaustion, or emotional ups and downs.

Meanwhile, I was married and mentally ready for a baby… and still completely surprised by the news. The physical challenges of the first trimester hit me hard: nausea, fatigue, overwhelm. And yet I couldn’t tell anyone.

That’s the thing about early pregnancy:

You’re going through some of your biggest emotions while staying completely silent.

I didn’t want to confide in my classmates—they simply couldn’t relate.

I didn’t want to tell acquaintances—it was far too early.

And I couldn’t tell my family—even though my whole heart longed to.

Homesickness During Pregnancy: When Your Heart Gets Quiet

My family lived 600 kilometers away. And I wanted to tell them in person. Not over the phone. Not quickly and casually. I wanted that moment to be meaningful—because this little beginning deserved it.

But this also meant:

I had to stay quiet for weeks.

I withdrew from conversations because I feared I might slip.

I missed my family deeply but couldn’t explain why.

In pregnancy, homesickness hits differently.

It’s not just missing people—it’s missing belonging,

familiarity, understanding without explanations,

the comfort of being known.

A New Perspective: How International Moms in Germany Must Feel

When I finally visited my family around week 13, the weight I had been carrying for weeks suddenly lifted. Seeing my mom’s eyes, her reaction, her joy—it healed something inside me.

And at that moment, I realized something important:

If I—a German woman who speaks the language and knows the culture—felt so isolated,

how must international moms in Germany feel?

Moms who

– struggle with the language

– navigate a completely new healthcare system

– miss traditions and rituals from home

– are thousands of kilometers away from their loved ones

– can’t travel home spontaneously

– sometimes feel like outsiders

This thought opened my heart in a new way. It made me more compassionate, more gentle, more aware of the invisible weight that so many pregnant women secretly carry.

Why Community Changes Everything

I’ve learned that we need to share our stories.

Whether we’re German or from another part of the world.

Whether our families live next door or thousands of miles away.

Pregnancy is emotional—and connection makes all the difference.

Sometimes all it takes is one sentence like:

“I felt that way too.” or “You’re not alone.”

That’s where community begins.
Look for one or be brave and start a community! –
Check out my blogpost about Brave First Steps – How to Find (or Start) Your Own Mama Community

What Helped Me—and Might Help You Too

 • Write down your feelings. It helps create space when you have no one to talk to.

 • Create small rituals of comfort—music, tea, scents, anything that reminds you of home. – click here and find more ideas about smal rituals in the (postpartum) chaos

 • Join online or local mom groups. They are a lifeline, especially for moms without nearby support.

 • Give yourself permission to rest. The first weeks are demanding for every part of you.

 • Don’t be too hard on yourself. You grow into motherhood step by step.

A Question for You

Did you experience your pregnancy close to your family—or from a distance? How did it feel for you?

I would love to hear your story in the comments.