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 milk and managing her recovery.

This conversation is a powerful reminder of how varied postpartum experiences can be, and the importance of support, self-awareness, and seeking help when things feel heavy.

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 who made her feel seen and respected, and how that search shaped her experience of maternity care in Dubai.

Her story is honest and relatable, reminding us that the emotional load of pregnancy often begins long before labour — and support is essential every step of the way.

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 support, education, and self-compassion are so important for new mums.

This is a powerful reminder that no two postpartum journeys are the same — and that every one deserves to be seen, heard, and supported.

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 energy in the second, and navigating placental calcification, which led to an earlier-than-expected delivery.

Her labor story includes powerful support from her mum and husband, a decision to have an epidural, and nearly two hours of pushing — a raw and relatable reminder that every birth unfolds in its own way.

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.

She speaks openly about needing company more than help, why she values second opinions, and how important it is to let go of the pressure to have a perfect postpartum.

This episode is a gentle, honest reminder that support, self-awareness, and small wins matter deeply in those early weeks.

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 unmedicated water birth — shaped by deep trust in her body, her doctor, and her doula.

She shares openly about the emotional and physical journey through:

• ​Health challenges during conception and pregnancy
• ​Using education to transform fear into confidence
• ​Hiring a doula and the power of continuous support
• ​A calm, physiological birth supported by the fetal ejection reflex
• ​Reflections on hospital care — what felt supportive, and what didn’t

Makenzie’s story is a reminder that preparation, support, and self-trust can reshape birth into something strong and empowering.

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 explosion — an event that changed the course of her family’s life.

Her labour was supported by a kind and encouraging midwife, but postpartum brought a wave of emotional and physical challenges. With her husband relocating to Dubai just two months after their daughter’s birth, Rena packed up her home, moved in with her parents, and later made the move to the UAE alone.

In this honest and moving conversation, Rena speaks about:

• Facing pregnancy and birth during global and local crises

• The power of supportive midwives and family

• Navigating postpartum struggles and reaching out for help

• Finding her strength again as a mother, expat, and woman

A story of love, resilience, and the power of speaking honestly — especially when it’s hard.

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:

• The emotional and physical realities of postpartum recovery

• The value of cultural postpartum care practices

• Why support — both professional and personal — is vital

• The unique challenges expat mums may face in the UAE

• Practical insights on breastfeeding, recovery, and self-care

A gentle reminder that every journey is different — and every story matters.