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 her a new sense of confidence and purpose.

From navigating sleep deprivation to launching her own business while caring for a newborn, this conversation beautifully captures the raw, real, and transformative side of postpartum life.

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, preparing for labor, and a three-day birth that ended with the arrival of her daughter, Bonnie. From epidurals that didn’t fully work to the overwhelming emotions of meeting her baby, Emma’s story is filled with honesty, strength, and heart. She also reflects on breastfeeding and the early joys and challenges of motherhood in a new country.

This is an open and powerful episode about resilience, support, and redefining what becoming a mother looks like.

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, and a much-needed reminder that motherhood doesn’t always look the way we expect it to. From cultural expectations to personal struggles, she reminds us that asking for help is a sign of strength—not weakness.

Note: This episode includes a discussion about suicidal thoughts. If you’d prefer to skip this part, it begins at 18 minutes and ends at 20 minutes.
For support in the UAE, contact Al Amal Psychiatric Hospital’s 24/7 helpline at 800-4673 or The Lighthouse Arabia at +971 4 380 2088.