The Madinat Mom Podcast | Motherhood, Mental Health & Expat Life

Nour Rayes Belman
  • 0.0 (0)
  • Parenting
  • Updated Biweekly

Welcome to The Madinat Mom Podcast, the filter-free space for raw and unfiltered conversations about modern motherhood, maternal mental health, and postpartum recovery. Hosted by empowerment coach Nour Rayes Belman, this show dives deep into the hidden realities of raising a family — from managing the invisible mental load of motherhood and marriage after baby to navigating generational trauma and overcoming mom guilt. If you are an expat mom in Dubai or the wider Middle East building your village from scratch, this podcast is your safe community. Join us every other week for candid solo episodes and expert interviews featuring local maternal health professionals, pediatric specialists, and inspiring mothers sharing their survival stories. ✨ Hit the + Follow button at the top of your screen so you never miss an episode!

  1. Sep 24

    IVF, Infertility & Miscarriage: The Emotional Reality of 7 IVF Cycles

    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.

  2. Sep 3

    Postpartum Depression Doesn't Always Look Like Sadness: Signs Moms Miss

    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. One of the most important messages from this conversation is: If you're struggling mentally during pregnancy or after giving birth, you're not alone — and you're not being dramatic. Maternal mental health is health. And asking for support doesn't mean you're failing as a mother. The episode also highlights an important distinction: postpartum depression is different from the short-lived "baby blues," and persistent or worsening symptoms deserve professional attention. Please remember: this episode is for education and awareness and isn't a substitute for professional medical advice or diagnosis. If you're experiencing persistent or worsening symptoms, speak with a qualified healthcare professional. 🤍 Subscribe to The Madinat Mom Podcast for honest conversations about motherhood, maternal mental health, parenting, and the experiences we don't always talk about. #PostpartumDepression #MaternalMentalHealth #NewMom

    Postpartum Depression Doesn't Always Look Like Sadness: Signs Moms Miss

  3. Aug 13

    Overcoming Mom Guilt: Maternal Burnout Symptoms & Setting Boundaries

    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. Connect with Madinat Mom: Website: www.madinatmom.com Instagram: @madinatmom If you enjoyed this episode, please follow the podcast, leave a review, and share it with another mom who needs this conversation.

    Overcoming Mom Guilt: Maternal Burnout Symptoms & Setting Boundaries

  4. Jul 30

    Co-Parenting After Divorce: Raising an Emotionally Secure Child Alone

    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.

    Co-Parenting After Divorce: Raising an Emotionally Secure Child Alone

  5. Jul 16

    Tantrums Aren't the Problem: What Every Parent Needs to Know About Child Development

    Why do tantrums happen? Are we expecting too much from our children—or sometimes too little? In this episode of the Madinat Mom Podcast, Nour is joined by Early Childhood Consultant Afia, founder of Kay Nuna, to discuss what parents need to know about child development, emotional regulation, milestones, and raising emotionally secure children. Together, they explore: Why tantrums are a normal part of development The most common misunderstanding parents have about child development How to reduce tantrums through consistency and clear expectations Building emotional security and confidence in children Working mom guilt and the importance of quality time Understanding developmental milestones without comparison Helping children name and regulate big emotions Practical parenting strategies you can use today Afia also shares simple ways to strengthen your relationship with your child, navigate challenging behaviour with confidence, and enjoy the parenting journey without feeling pressured to be perfect. Whether you're parenting a toddler or a young child, this conversation is filled with practical advice that will leave you feeling calmer, more confident, and better equipped to support your child's development.

    Tantrums Aren't the Problem: What Every Parent Needs to Know About Child Development

  6. Jul 2

    The Meal Planning Mistakes Most Moms Make (And How to Fix Them)

    The Madinat Mom Podcast | Motherhood, Mental Health & Expat Life

    The Meal Planning Mistakes Most Moms Make (And How to Fix Them)

  7. Jun 18

    Breaking Generational Cycles: Healing Childhood Trauma in Motherhood

    Have you ever found yourself reacting to your child and thinking, "I sound exactly like my parent"? This episode tackles breaking generational cycles and healing childhood trauma so you can show up differently for your kids. Family Constellations Facilitator Salma joins the show to discuss reparenting yourself, managing hidden emotional triggers, and using gentle parenting tips that actually stick. In this episode of the Madinat Mom Podcast, Nour sits down with Salma, a Family Constellations Facilitator and mother of two, to explore how generational patterns, childhood experiences, and unresolved family dynamics can influence the way we show up in motherhood. Together, they discuss why motherhood often brings hidden emotions to the surface, how family patterns get passed down through generations, and what it really means to break cycles with awareness and compassion. In this episode, we cover: • Why motherhood can trigger unresolved childhood wounds • The hidden family patterns many mothers unknowingly repeat • The parentified child and emotional role reversal • Why we sometimes become the very parent we promised we'd never be • Family constellations and how they help uncover unconscious dynamics • Miscarriage, grief, and unprocessed family experiences • Healing generational trauma without blame or shame • Practical first steps for beginning your own healing journey Whether you're navigating mom guilt, emotional triggers, difficult family relationships, or simply want to understand yourself better as a parent, this conversation offers powerful insights into the invisible patterns that shape our lives. Connect with Salma: [Insert links] Connect with Madinat Mom: Website: www.madinatmom.com Instagram: @madinatmom If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with another mom who may need to hear this conversation. Because healing yourself is one of the greatest gifts you can give your children.

    Breaking Generational Cycles: Healing Childhood Trauma in Motherhood

  8. Jun 4

    Binge Eating Recovery & Intuitive Eating Tips for Busy Moms

    Are you trapped in a cycle of restrictive clean eating and midnight binging? In this episode, certified holistic nutritionist Maitha joins Nour to discuss binge eating recovery and practical intuitive eating tips tailored for mothers. If you want to heal your relationship with food and get rid of the constant mom guilt and weight loss stress, this raw conversation will change how you look at wellness. You're not lacking discipline—you're stuck in a cycle. This conversation will change the way you think about food, control, and what "healthy" actually means—especially as a mom. In this episode, we cover: What binge eating disorder really looks like (and why it's often misunderstood) How "clean eating" can quietly turn into restriction The real reason behind the restrict–binge–guilt cycle How to rebuild trust with your body through intuitive eating Why nourishment matters more than control—especially in motherhood How Maitha built a dessert brand that challenges diet culture If you've ever: Felt out of control around food Promised yourself "I'll start again tomorrow" Experienced guilt after eating something "bad" Struggled to prioritize your own nourishment as a mom This episode is for you. You don't need more rules. You need a new relationship with food. Timestamps: 00:00 Intro 03:19 From Binge Cycles to Business 14:53 Motherhood & Lactation Cookies 24:02 Feed Yourself First 25:21 Two Under Two Reality 34:38 Food Trust & Self-Kindness 🔗 Stay Connected: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/madinatmom/ Website: https://madinatmom.com/ 📩 Business inquiries: contact@madinatmom.com 🎁 Free resources for moms: https://madinatmom.com/free-resources-for-moms/ Connect with Maitha: https://www.instagram.com/maitha.and/ 🎧 Listen on: Spotify: https://cutt.ly/ZrJ7l0Qc Apple Podcasts: https://cutt.ly/erJ7l4zX

    Binge Eating Recovery & Intuitive Eating Tips for Busy Moms
See All (32)

About

Welcome to The Madinat Mom Podcast, the filter-free space for raw and unfiltered conversations about modern motherhood, maternal mental health, and postpartum recovery. Hosted by empowerment coach Nour Rayes Belman, this show dives deep into the hidden realities of raising a family — from managing the invisible mental load of motherhood and marriage after baby to navigating generational trauma and overcoming mom guilt. If you are an expat mom in Dubai or the wider Middle East building your village from scratch, this podcast is your safe community. Join us every other week for candid solo episodes and expert interviews featuring local maternal health professionals, pediatric specialists, and inspiring mothers sharing their survival stories. ✨ Hit the + Follow button at the top of your screen so you never miss an episode!

Information