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.

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 vulnerability, Amina shares how she processed the news, leaned on her family, and began her path toward healing. Her story is a reminder of the resilience mothers carry and the importance of support systems during life’s most difficult transitions.

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 newborn helped her move through the fog of early motherhood. Together, Laura and Jessica explore how every baby is different, why communication and connection are essential, and how postpartum isn't just a phase—it's a journey.

Whether you're in the thick of it or preparing for what's ahead, this episode offers reassurance, honesty, and insight for new and expecting mums.

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 honesty and warmth, Jess talks about the moment she met her baby, how she adapted her birth plan, and how she's already thinking about the future.

This is a powerful story of preparation, flexibility, and strength—especially for anyone facing fertility challenges or preparing for birth.

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 important emotional and practical support were in those early months—and why better workplace policies and longer maternity leave are so essential for new mums.

This is a raw, real conversation that so many mothers will relate to.

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 reflects on the power of preparation, support, and staying open to the unexpected. Her story is both grounding and inspiring — a beautiful reminder that every birth journey is deeply personal and worth sharing.