Mother’s Day carries a special resonance for first-time mothers — not just as a celebration, but as a deeply personal acknowledgment of a new identity. It marks the moment when everything changes — when sleepless nights, overwhelming emotions, and tiny, miraculous firsts weave together to create a bond like no other.
For many, it’s a day of reflection — on pregnancy, the trials of childbirth, and those initial months of holding a life that once grew inside them. It is both awe-inspiring and grounding. To explore this tender transition, Prameya English spoke with three first-time mothers from Odisha, each embracing their first Mother’s Day with stories full of raw emotion and love.
“It’s not easy, but it’s beautiful", says Bhavna Mishra from Berhampur.
Two months into motherhood, Bhavna is still navigating the whirlwind of early parenting.
“My days and nights blur together,” she shares, laughing softly. “Sleep feels like a distant memory. I’m tired, sometimes overwhelmed, and always wondering if I’m doing things right.”
Yet, in the midst of the chaos, there are sacred moments. “When my baby looks at me with those tiny eyes or smiles, everything else disappears. I’m learning every day, growing along with my baby. It’s the hardest thing I’ve ever done — but also the most meaningful. I wouldn’t trade this journey for anything.”
“You made me a mama — and changed everything.” — Suryasnata, Bhubaneswar
For Suryasnata, the transformation into motherhood came with a wave of realizations — about her own capacity to love, and about her mother’s sacrifices.
“To my firstborn — you made me a mama,” she writes in an emotional tribute. “With you, every first was my first too: my first sleepless night, my first whispered prayer, my first taste of a mother’s overwhelming love.”
Reflecting on her journey has also deepened her appreciation for her own mother. “Thank you, Maa, for everything. And I’m sorry for every mistake I made. Happy Mother’s Day to you — and happy Mother’s Day to me!”
“In that moment, I became a mother.” — Milan, Dhenkanal
Milan’s story is one of deep emotional transformation, etched by every moment from her pregnancy to the birth of her daughter, Glory.
“The day I found out I was going to be a mother — August 7 — my whole life changed,” Milan recalls. “When I heard her heartbeat during the first ultrasound, my world turned upside down. That joy — I can’t put it into words.”
But her journey wasn’t without fear. At 38 weeks, doctors advised an early delivery due to complications. “I was terrified. I just kept praying for my baby to be safe.”
On March 26 at 8:05 AM, her daughter’s cry echoed through the operating room. “When the doctor said, ‘Here’s your daughter,’ and placed her on my chest, I cried tears of pure joy. I touched her for the first time, and in that moment, I gained a new identity — the identity of a mother.”
Now, as she celebrates her first Mother’s Day, Milan holds a deeper understanding of all that mothers endure. “We can never repay our mothers. Their love and care are unmatched — it’s why a mother is greater than even heaven itself.”
As these heartfelt stories show, a first Mother's Day isn't just about cards and flowers — it's about recognizing the birth of a new self, one molded by sacrifice, awe, and unconditional love.
To all the new mothers out there: Happy Mother’s Day. You are more than just caregivers — you are creators of life, and your journey is nothing short of extraordinary.
