Ep 3 The Good, The Hard & The Unexplained: Our Pregnancies

Episode Decription:In Episode 3 of Mum Brains Abroad, hosts Annika and Anjelli take listeners through their full pregnancy journeys — from the shock of those first positive tests to the final weeks before birth. They share how and when they announced their pregnancies, compare their very different first trimester experiences (including Anjelli's severe Hyperemesis Gravidarum (HG)), laugh about unexpected cravings (oysters, healing soil, and dairy despite lactose intolerance), and discuss the emotional rollercoaster of gender scans, the 20-week scan, and feeling their babies move for the first time. The third trimester turns more serious as Annika opens up about a complicated pregnancy involving mysterious pains, a baby measuring small, breech positioning, and the stress of frequent hospital visits. Both hosts also reflect on navigating the Danish healthcare system as expats, and the episode wraps with their weekly Mum High & Mum Low ritual — covering nap transitions, stroller struggles, and the joy of watching their daughters' personalities emerge.Topics covered:When & how to announce a pregnancyMiscarriage risk and building a support networkHG (hyperemesis gravidarum) and managing severe pregnancy nauseaPregnancy cravings: the weird, the wonderful & the unexplainedPrivate gender scans as expatsThe 20-week anatomy scanFeeling your baby move for the first timeNavigating a complicated third trimesterGestational diabetes testingThe Danish healthcare system vs. home country prenatal careMum High & Mum Low: nap transitions, strollers & personality milestonesTimestamps:0:00 – Welcome & episode intro: pregnancy experiences overview0:54 – Announcing the pregnancy: the secret-keeping phase, when to tell3:42 – Angeli's announcement story (family Facebook reveal)7:00 – First trimester: symptoms, exhaustion, HG (hyperemesis gravidarum)8:34 – Heightened sense of smell stories10:00 – Cravings: oysters, healing soil, dairy despite lactose intolerance13:16 – Second trimester: energy, nausea updates & private scans14:00 – Gender scan: finding out it's a girl25:02 – First baby movements & kicks27:38 – Third trimester begins32:08 – Gestational diabetes test: the glucose drink experience34:48 – Annika's complicated pregnancy: mysterious pains, baby measuring small, breech & C-section concerns39:48 – Danish healthcare system as expats: 2 official scans vs. the Philippines47:47 – Mum High & Mum Low of the week: nap transitions, stroller battles & cheeky personality milestones