Mothering Without a Mom: Navigating Grief as an Expat Mom in Dubai

IVF is often talked about as a medical journey to having a baby. But what happens when IVF becomes years of waiting, anxiety, loss, miscarriage, financial pressure and emotional exhaustion? In this deeply honest conversation, Karmel shares her experience of infertility, seven IVF cycles, miscarriage, pregnancy after IVF, and the emotional trauma that continued even after becoming a mother. She opens up about the anxiety that followed her pregnancy, why baby showers and pregnancy announcements can still be triggering, and what it feels like when your body remembers what your mind knows is over. Karmel also talks about the biggest misconceptions about IVF, including the belief that IVF guarantees a baby, the loneliness of infertility, the pressure of forced positivity, and the comments women going through IVF and miscarriage wish people would stop making. We also talk about miscarriage grief, suppressed grief, healing after pregnancy loss, therapy during IVF, finding support at work, and why there is no timeline for grief. Karmel shares how she learned to process her emotions rather than hide them, and how she now supports other women going through IVF who need to feel heard, understood and less alone. If you are going through IVF, infertility, miscarriage or pregnancy after loss—or supporting someone who is—this conversation is a reminder that you don't have to pretend you're okay, and that your experience doesn't have to look like anyone else's. Topics covered: IVF and infertility, seven IVF cycles, miscarriage, pregnancy after IVF, IVF anxiety, infertility grief, miscarriage grief, IVF trauma, pregnancy after loss, emotional healing, fertility treatment, fertility journey, therapy during IVF, forced positivity, and motherhood after infertility.

Postpartum depression doesn't always look the way we expect it to. In this episode of The Madinat Mom Podcast, Dr. Nivin Hanash explains the signs of postpartum depression, the difference between the baby blues and postpartum depression, and when a mother may need more support. Dr. Nivin Hanash is a mother, health promotion researcher, and public health expert whose research focuses on postpartum depression and maternal mental health in the UAE. In this honest conversation, we go beyond the common idea that postpartum depression simply means feeling sad after having a baby. We talk about the signs mothers and families can miss, why symptoms can appear months after birth, why mothers often normalize what they're experiencing, and why "just take a shower," "go for a walk," or "it's just a phase" isn't always enough.

Why do so many mothers constantly feel like they are falling short? Wellness coach Rana dives deep into overcoming mom guilt and identifying the silent maternal burnout symptoms that many experience. Stop drowning under the motherhood mental load and learn actionable strategies for setting boundaries as a mother without the toxic people-pleasing cycle. In this episode of The Madinat Mom Podcast, Nour sits down with wellness coach, author, and mother Rana for an honest conversation about mom guilt, burnout, boundaries, self-worth, and finding yourself again after becoming a mother. Together, they explore why so many women feel the pressure to do it all, how that pressure leads to burnout, and why becoming a "good mom" doesn't mean sacrificing your own identity. In this episode, we discuss: • Why so many moms feel like they're never enough • The hidden causes of motherhood burnout • Mom guilt and the pressure to be everything for everyone • Setting boundaries without feeling selfish • Why motherhood shouldn't cost you your identity • Healing from perfectionism and people-pleasing • Functional depression and recognizing the warning signs • Learning to receive help and let go of unrealistic expectations • Building self-worth beyond productivity • Practical mindset shifts to help mothers feel lighter, healthier, and more present Whether you're a new mom, a working mom, or simply feeling overwhelmed by the demands of motherhood, this episode offers practical encouragement and a powerful reminder: You don't have to do it all to be a good mom.

How do you approach co-parenting after divorce while navigating your own healing journey? Holistic art therapy practitioner Ishtar shares her powerful story of leaving an abusive relationship and her raw single mother advice on raising an emotionally secure child. Learn the exact script she used to explain separation to her young child and how she processes trauma through therapeutic art. In this emotional episode of The Madinat Mom Podcast, Nour speaks with Ishtar, a single mother, visual artist, and certified holistic art therapy practitioner, about leaving an abusive marriage, healing from trauma, and raising an emotionally secure child through one of life's biggest transitions. Together they discuss: • The decision to leave an abusive relationship • Navigating divorce as a mother • Helping young children understand separation • What children really need after divorce • Why emotional presence matters more than perfection • Setting boundaries without guilt • Healing childhood wounds while parenting • How art therapy helps children express emotions • Practical emotional regulation tools for both moms and children • Finding confidence after divorce Ashtar also shares the simple script she used to explain divorce to her daughter, why consistency matters more than perfect parenting, and how mothers can begin their own healing journey while raising emotionally healthy children. Whether you're a single mom, co-parenting, healing from trauma, or simply trying to become a more emotionally aware parent, this conversation offers compassion, practical tools, and hope.