Mama Becoming: Birth & Beyond

In this episode, Zineb shares what it was really like becoming a mother for the first time — the beauty, the isolation, and the unexpected loneliness that can exist even when surrounded by loved ones. She opens up about how everything shifted when she connected with a small group of local mums, and how that experience inspired her to create LeanOn , a platform helping other mothers in the UAE buil...

In this heartfelt episode, Aneeka opens up about the emotional toll of motherhood. She talks candidly about the sadness that can accompany the early parenting journey, the exhaustion that comes with constant physical demands, and how critical self-care and personal time are for emotional recovery. This episode is a reminder that it’s okay to not feel okay—and that you're not alone in the chaos...

In this week’s episode, Aneeka shares the contrasting stories of how she birthed her two boys — one born via planned C-section in the UK, the other a powerful VBAC in Dubai. She opens up about: — The challenges of early pregnancy, low iron, and cultural expectations— Feeling empowered through hypnobirthing and research— Navigating a breech baby and planned C-section— Fighting for her VBAC birth pl...

In Part 2 of her story, Nour returns to Mama Becoming: Birth & Beyond to share her honest and powerful postpartum journey with twins. She opens up about the highs and lows — from navigating breastfeeding challenges and managing sleepless nights, to feeling isolated and questioning her choices as a new mum. Nour shares how routines, support from her partner, and trusting her instincts helped he...

In this episode of Mama Becoming , Nour shares her deeply personal journey to motherhood after two years of unexplained infertility. She opens up about the emotional and physical toll of trying to conceive, her successful IVF experience, and the surprise of discovering she was expecting twins. Nour also discusses the challenges of early pregnancy, including a threatened miscarriage and switching d...

In this episode of Mama Becoming: Birth & Beyond , Emma — returns to share her postpartum journey after the birth of her daughter, Bonnie. She opens up about the early days of recovery, the reality of cluster feeding, and what it was like having a baby who only wanted to be held. Emma also reflects on her physical recovery, the challenges of returning to work, and how becoming a mother gave he...

In this episode of Mama Becoming , I sit down with Emma, the founder of Next of Kin , to hear the story behind her unexpected journey into motherhood. Emma opens up about moving to Dubai during the COVID pandemic, discovering she was pregnant, and the emotional and logistical challenges of navigating pregnancy while unmarried in the UAE. She shares her experience with intense pregnancy symptoms, p...

In this powerful episode, Amina opens up about the emotional realities of early motherhood—navigating postpartum depression, the pressure to breastfeed, and struggling to feel a connection with her newborn. She shares how returning to work while managing her health and caring for her baby tested her limits, and why mental health support should never be an afterthought. Amina’s story is raw, honest...

In this moving episode of Mama Becoming , Laura speaks with Amina, an Emirati woman whose journey through marriage, motherhood, and a shocking health diagnosis is nothing short of extraordinary. Amina opens up about navigating cultural expectations, her smooth pregnancy, and the emotional whirlwind that followed the birth of her baby — an ovarian cancer diagnosis. With incredible strength and vuln...

In this episode of Mama Becoming , Laura speaks with Jessica White about the raw and real side of postpartum life. From sleepless nights and feeding challenges to emotional recovery and identity shifts, Jessica opens up about the realities many new mothers face—but rarely speak about. She shares how support from her partner and friends , navigating breastfeeding , and finding her rhythm with a new...

In this episode, Jess opens up about her emotional journey to motherhood, beginning with her struggles with endometriosis and fertility. After making intentional lifestyle changes, Jess conceived through IUI and shares how she navigated her pregnancy. She reflects on the importance of a supportive birth team—including her doula—and walks us through her intense but empowering birth experience. With...

In this episode, Melissa returns to share her honest and heartfelt postpartum journey after the birth of her son, Jude. From the emotional rollercoaster of new motherhood to breastfeeding challenges and returning to work, Melissa speaks candidly about the identity shifts , the lack of postpartum support , and the difficult task of finding reliable childcare in Dubai. She opens up about how importa...

In this episode, I speak with Melissa about her thoughtful and emotional journey to motherhood. Melissa shares how she planned her pregnancy while balancing her career, faced a health scare with resilience, and leaned on education and support to prepare for the birth of her son, Jude. From detailed birth plans to the intensity of labor and the joy of holding her baby for the first time, Melissa re...

In this heartfelt follow-up episode, Yvonne opens up about her postpartum journey with her three children. From navigating breastfeeding challenges to embracing cocooning and natural healing, Yvonne shares what helped her recover both physically and emotionally. She talks about the importance of trusting your body, seeking the right support, and honouring the postpartum period as sacred. Yvonne al...

In this episode, I speak with Yvonne about her emotional and empowering journey into motherhood. From the early days of pregnancy to preparing for what she hoped would be an ecstatic birth, Yvonne opens up about choosing the right obstetrician, connecting deeply with her body, and creating a supportive environment for birthing her babies. She shares what it was like to navigate emotional challenge...

In this episode of Mama Becoming: Birth & Beyond , I speak with Kate about her postpartum experience following the birth of her daughter, Sophia. Kate opens up about the emotional highs and lows of new motherhood, her unexpected breastfeeding challenges, and how critical support and mental well-being were during her recovery. From hospital discharge to settling in at home, this conversation ex...

In this episode of Mama Becoming: Birth & Beyond , I sit down with Kate, an expat who moved to Dubai in 2014 in search of a new adventure — and soon after, began her journey into motherhood. Kate shares her story of navigating pregnancy, birth, and early motherhood abroad. From preparing with hypnobirthing and visualisation to facing the unexpected during labor, her story is one of strength, c...

In this episode, Louise reflects on the emotional and physical challenges of the postpartum period. Louise opens up about her experience with two very different postpartum journeys — including breastfeeding difficulties, navigating tongue ties and jaundice, NICU stays, and the unexpected impact of postpartum depression. She also shares the added pressure of returning to work while still expressing...

In this episode, Louise shares her powerful journey to motherhood — from navigating IVF to managing a high-pressure job during pregnancy and an unexpected NICU stay after birth. Louise speaks candidly about how her work stress deeply affected her mental wellbeing during pregnancy — something she now recognises may have been prenatal depression. She also talks about the challenge of finding an OB w...

In Part 2 of her story, Dana opens up about the emotional and physical realities of postpartum life. From navigating the unexpected challenges of breastfeeding and mastitis to making the empowered decision to transition to formula, Dana shares her experience with honesty, vulnerability, and strength. She reflects on how her body and identity shifted in the months after birth, and why proper suppor...

In this episode of Mama Becoming: Birth & Beyond , I sit down with Dana to hear her experience from conception through labor and birth. Dana shares how family expectations played a role in her decision to have a baby, the emotional highs and lows of her pregnancy, and how childbirth classes helped her feel more prepared. She opens up about the physical toll of her first trimester, finding ener...

In this episode of Mama Becoming: Birth & Beyond , I speak with Makenzie — also a doula based in Dubai — about the emotional and physical realities of life after birth. Makenzie had a powerful birth experience, but the early postpartum days brought new challenges — from unexpected breastfeeding difficulties to figuring out sleep, healing a small labial tear, and learning to trust her instincts...

In this episode of Mama Becoming: Birth & Beyond , I sit down with Makenzie — a fellow doula based in Dubai — to talk about her powerful and personal journey into motherhood. After being told she might struggle to conceive, Makenzie experienced an ectopic pregnancy , followed by a threatened miscarriage early in her next pregnancy. Despite these early challenges, she went on to have an unmedic...

In this special, extended episode of Mama Becoming: Birth & Beyond , Rena shares a deeply emotional and layered story of motherhood — from conception and birth in Lebanon to postpartum recovery and relocation to Dubai. After a long and hopeful journey trying to conceive, Rena found out she was pregnant just before the COVID-19 pandemic began. At 8 months pregnant, she lived through the Beirut...

In this episode of Mama Becoming: Birth & Beyond , Virna opens up about her postpartum experience — sharing the raw, real, and often overlooked parts of new motherhood. From navigating breastfeeding challenges to receiving support from a confinement lady , she reflects on how cultural traditions, professional help, and emotional support shaped her early weeks after birth. This episode explores...