Four months after giving birth, I found myself walking alone on a cold Scottish December night. Pulling my hood tightly over my head to protect me from the rain, I took a bite from a cold wrap I’d just purchased in M&S, the only store open at that time of night during the hazy period between Christmas and New Year's Eve.
It was a far cry from the family-filled festive season I’d imagined for my first trip home with my newborn daughter. Exhausted and cold, I returned to my in-laws' house, where my absence went unacknowledged. I felt lost, and I knew this wasn’t me. But I also knew I'd had enough.
That moment – one my therapist would later tell me was a cry for help – would turn out to be exactly what propelled me to take my first step towards finding help as a new mum. Back in the UAE, I began to research support groups and came across Mama Tribe UAE. Hosting regular meetups, coffee mornings and socials, the group also had a WhatsApp chat, where new mothers could connect.
As I stared into the darkness nursing my daughter, and feeling alone, I posted my first message on the group. Within a few minutes, I had a reply. Ten minutes later, I had another. It was 3am on a Tuesday, but for the first time in months I realised I wasn’t the only one in the country who was exhausted and wide awake. That alone gave me strength.
A few weeks later, and after attending a few Mama Tribe UAE events where I shared my story with other mums, I found the courage to make a doctor’s appointment. As soon as the doctor asked how I was, I burst into tears. An hour later, I left the clinic with a medical prescription for postpartum anxiety and a new sense of enthusiasm for my life as a mum.
Social media mum myth
My prescription would help me to navigate the next few months of motherhood. But it’s hard to escape the pressures of being a new mum, with or without postpartum issues, in a world that’s flooded with Instagram, TikTok and Facebook posts that paint the post-birth stage of motherhood as a rainbow-filled time, consisting purely of baby cuddles and lullabies.
For many new mums, that’s far from the reality of postpartum life. And in countries like the UAE, where more than 80 per cent of the population are foreign residents, often far from family and familiar support systems, the situation can feel isolating, with social media offering the main daily contact for many mums.
That’s exactly what Juliane Landelle, now a mum of three in Abu Dhabi, felt after moving to the country with her firstborn, who was two months old at the time.
“I was living in a new country and stuck in a hotel while my husband spent long days at work,” she says.
After her husband told her she should go to “meet people”, Landelle posted on Facebook seeking connections with others who might understand the issues she faced.
She posted about the fact it isn’t so easy to simply “meet people” when you’re exhausted, caring for a newborn and just trying to get through each day. Her post was welcomed by many other mums in Abu Dhabi and that reaction led her to create the Mama Tribe UAE community, which became a lifeline for many, myself included.
“We are mums from everywhere, from lots of different cultures and countries, but we are all travelling the same journey here in the UAE,” Landelle says. “And we can learn from each other.”
For Victoria Alhajeri, a Latvian citizen married to an Emirati man, the group offered essential support. “I met Juliane at my lowest point,” Alhajeri says.
“Mama Tribe UAE saved me. We laughed, cried and reminded each other we weren’t failing, we were just human.”
For Elizabeth Cooper, a Canadian citizen with a 20-month-old daughter, her dreams of a South Korean-style postpartum recovery encompassing nourishing broths, structured rest and family support were scuppered after a traumatic birth and a disappointing experience with the doula she hired to support her.
With no extended family nearby, the Abu Dhabi resident struggled. “Everyone focuses on the baby, but many people forget about the mum,” she says.
“I wish I’d lined up more help beforehand, things like having a nanny in place or someone to cook or help look after me. That would be my advice to any soon to be new mums.”
The length of maternity leave varies around the world and depending on family circumstances. Reflecting on maternity leave and postpartum care, Cooper says: “Some mums must be back at work in a few weeks or months, and I don’t believe that’s enough of a recovery period, or enough time with your baby.”
Singaporean mum-of-two Cynthia Goh lives in the UAE, but gave birth in her homeland. She said that most “Singaporean women observe some form of confinement or postpartum care”, which means “really focusing on restoring your body and bonding with the baby”.
After returning to Abu Dhabi, Goh built her own support network using online groups, including Mama Tribe UAE, Mama Hub, Dubai Mums Meet and Eklektik Mama. “It’s not quite the same as my village back home, but it’s something,” she says.
Mental health and postpartum concerns
Dr Nilusha Vadhwania, a specialist in obstetrics and gynaecology at Aster Clinics in Dubai, believes expat mums are especially vulnerable during the postpartum phase.
“Globally, one in five women face postpartum mental health struggles,” she says. “In the UAE, factors like isolation, cultural adjustment and lack of family support push that number higher.”
Cultural differences can play a part. “Some cultures see mood swings as ‘normal’ after birth,” she says, adding that it can lead mums to face their battles in silence.
There has been progress as hospitals across the country offer mental health screenings and insurance companies begin to cover therapy. Online communities have also helped to fill the gaps.
New mums in the UAE have learnt to forge their own connections and, when they do, the bonds run deep. For Landelle, an even stronger tribe awaits. Inspired by postpartum retreats in Australia and bolstered by her background in luxury hospitality, she is launching a postpartum sanctuary.
It is part of an initiative called the Om Journey. She hosted a successful one-day retreat in Abu Dhabi. Some of the mums who attended called it “the day they didn’t know they needed”.
The Om Sanctuary will allow mums to check-in to a luxury hotel with their babies to be looked after by a host of experts in a setting designed to foster connection, support and wellness. Those are all the elements needed for a strong tribe.
“I want every new mum here to know she’s not alone,” Landelle says. “Whether it’s via an online community, a coffee date or by checking in at a postpartum retreat to meet other new mums, connection is everything.”
ESSENTIALS
The flights
Emirates flies direct from Dubai to Rio de Janeiro from Dh7,000 return including taxes. Avianca fliles from Rio to Cusco via Lima from $399 (Dhxx) return including taxes.
The trip
From US$1,830 per deluxe cabin, twin share, for the one-night Spirit of the Water itinerary and US$4,630 per deluxe cabin for the Peruvian Highlands itinerary, inclusive of meals, and beverages. Surcharges apply for some excursions.
EA Sports FC 26
Publisher: EA Sports
Consoles: PC, PlayStation 4/5, Xbox Series X/S
Rating: 3/5
MATCH INFO
Manchester City 3
Danilo (16'), Bernardo Silva (34'), Fernandinho (72')
Brighton & Hove Albion 1
Ulloa (20')
ANDROID%20VERSION%20NAMES%2C%20IN%20ORDER
%3Cp%3EAndroid%20Alpha%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EAndroid%20Beta%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EAndroid%20Cupcake%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EAndroid%20Donut%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EAndroid%20Eclair%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EAndroid%20Froyo%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EAndroid%20Gingerbread%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EAndroid%20Honeycomb%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EAndroid%20Ice%20Cream%20Sandwich%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EAndroid%20Jelly%20Bean%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EAndroid%20KitKat%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EAndroid%20Lollipop%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EAndroid%20Marshmallow%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EAndroid%20Nougat%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EAndroid%20Oreo%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EAndroid%20Pie%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EAndroid%2010%20(Quince%20Tart*)%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EAndroid%2011%20(Red%20Velvet%20Cake*)%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EAndroid%2012%20(Snow%20Cone*)%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EAndroid%2013%20(Tiramisu*)%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EAndroid%2014%20(Upside%20Down%20Cake*)%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EAndroid%2015%20(Vanilla%20Ice%20Cream*)%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cem%3E*%20internal%20codenames%3C%2Fem%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Mercer, the investment consulting arm of US services company Marsh & McLennan, expects its wealth division to at least double its assets under management (AUM) in the Middle East as wealth in the region continues to grow despite economic headwinds, a company official said.
Mercer Wealth, which globally has $160 billion in AUM, plans to boost its AUM in the region to $2-$3bn in the next 2-3 years from the present $1bn, said Yasir AbuShaban, a Dubai-based principal with Mercer Wealth.
“Within the next two to three years, we are looking at reaching $2 to $3 billion as a conservative estimate and we do see an opportunity to do so,” said Mr AbuShaban.
Mercer does not directly make investments, but allocates clients’ money they have discretion to, to professional asset managers. They also provide advice to clients.
“We have buying power. We can negotiate on their (client’s) behalf with asset managers to provide them lower fees than they otherwise would have to get on their own,” he added.
Mercer Wealth’s clients include sovereign wealth funds, family offices, and insurance companies among others.
From its office in Dubai, Mercer also looks after Africa, India and Turkey, where they also see opportunity for growth.
Wealth creation in Middle East and Africa (MEA) grew 8.5 per cent to $8.1 trillion last year from $7.5tn in 2015, higher than last year’s global average of 6 per cent and the second-highest growth in a region after Asia-Pacific which grew 9.9 per cent, according to consultancy Boston Consulting Group (BCG). In the region, where wealth grew just 1.9 per cent in 2015 compared with 2014, a pickup in oil prices has helped in wealth generation.
BCG is forecasting MEA wealth will rise to $12tn by 2021, growing at an annual average of 8 per cent.
Drivers of wealth generation in the region will be split evenly between new wealth creation and growth of performance of existing assets, according to BCG.
Another general trend in the region is clients’ looking for a comprehensive approach to investing, according to Mr AbuShaban.
“Institutional investors or some of the families are seeing a slowdown in the available capital they have to invest and in that sense they are looking at optimizing the way they manage their portfolios and making sure they are not investing haphazardly and different parts of their investment are working together,” said Mr AbuShaban.
Some clients also have a higher appetite for risk, given the low interest-rate environment that does not provide enough yield for some institutional investors. These clients are keen to invest in illiquid assets, such as private equity and infrastructure.
“What we have seen is a desire for higher returns in what has been a low-return environment specifically in various fixed income or bonds,” he said.
“In this environment, we have seen a de facto increase in the risk that clients are taking in things like illiquid investments, private equity investments, infrastructure and private debt, those kind of investments were higher illiquidity results in incrementally higher returns.”
The Abu Dhabi Investment Authority, one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, said in its 2016 report that has gradually increased its exposure in direct private equity and private credit transactions, mainly in Asian markets and especially in China and India. The authority’s private equity department focused on structured equities owing to “their defensive characteristics.”
%20Ramez%20Gab%20Min%20El%20Akher
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECreator%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Ramez%20Galal%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarring%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Ramez%20Galal%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStreaming%20on%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EMBC%20Shahid%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E2.5%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
The Byblos iftar in numbers
29 or 30 days – the number of iftar services held during the holy month
50 staff members required to prepare an iftar
200 to 350 the number of people served iftar nightly
160 litres of the traditional Ramadan drink, jalab, is served in total
500 litres of soup is served during the holy month
200 kilograms of meat is used for various dishes
350 kilograms of onion is used in dishes
5 minutes – the average time that staff have to eat
Zayed Sustainability Prize
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
WHAT IS A BLACK HOLE?
1. Black holes are objects whose gravity is so strong not even light can escape their pull
2. They can be created when massive stars collapse under their own weight
3. Large black holes can also be formed when smaller ones collide and merge
4. The biggest black holes lurk at the centre of many galaxies, including our own
5. Astronomers believe that when the universe was very young, black holes affected how galaxies formed
The specs
Engine: 4 liquid-cooled permanent magnet synchronous electric motors placed at each wheel
Battery: Rimac 120kWh Lithium Nickel Manganese Cobalt Oxide (LiNiMnCoO2) chemistry
Power: 1877bhp
Torque: 2300Nm
Price: Dh7,500,00
On sale: Now
The 10 Questions
- Is there a God?
- How did it all begin?
- What is inside a black hole?
- Can we predict the future?
- Is time travel possible?
- Will we survive on Earth?
- Is there other intelligent life in the universe?
- Should we colonise space?
- Will artificial intelligence outsmart us?
- How do we shape the future?
RESULTS
Main card
Bantamweight 56.4kg: Mehdi Eljamari (MAR) beat Abrorbek Madiminbekov (UZB), Split points decision
Super heavyweight 94 kg: Adnan Mohammad (IRN) beat Mohammed Ajaraam (MAR), Split points decision
Lightweight 60kg: Zakaria Eljamari (UAE) beat Faridoon Alik Zai (AFG), RSC round 3
Light heavyweight 81.4kg: Taha Marrouni (MAR) beat Mahmood Amin (EGY), Unanimous points decision
Light welterweight 64.5kg: Siyovush Gulmamadov (TJK) beat Nouredine Samir (UAE), Unanimous points decision
Light heavyweight 81.4kg: Ilyass Habibali (UAE) beat Haroun Baka (ALG), KO second round
MATCH INFO
What: Brazil v South Korea
When: Tonight, 5.30pm
Where: Mohamed bin Zayed Stadium, Abu Dhabi
Tickets: www.ticketmaster.ae
Trump v Khan
2016: Feud begins after Khan criticised Trump’s proposed Muslim travel ban to US
2017: Trump criticises Khan’s ‘no reason to be alarmed’ response to London Bridge terror attacks
2019: Trump calls Khan a “stone cold loser” before first state visit
2019: Trump tweets about “Khan’s Londonistan”, calling him “a national disgrace”
2022: Khan’s office attributes rise in Islamophobic abuse against the major to hostility stoked during Trump’s presidency
July 2025 During a golfing trip to Scotland, Trump calls Khan “a nasty person”
Sept 2025 Trump blames Khan for London’s “stabbings and the dirt and the filth”.
Dec 2025 Trump suggests migrants got Khan elected, calls him a “horrible, vicious, disgusting mayor”
How to wear a kandura
Dos
- Wear the right fabric for the right season and occasion
- Always ask for the dress code if you don’t know
- Wear a white kandura, white ghutra / shemagh (headwear) and black shoes for work
- Wear 100 per cent cotton under the kandura as most fabrics are polyester
Don’ts
- Wear hamdania for work, always wear a ghutra and agal
- Buy a kandura only based on how it feels; ask questions about the fabric and understand what you are buying
COMPANY%20PROFILE%3A
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EName%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Envision%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarted%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E2017%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFounders%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EKarthik%20Mahadevan%20and%20Karthik%20Kannan%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20The%20Netherlands%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ESector%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Technology%2FAssistive%20Technology%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInitial%20investment%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20%241.5%20million%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ECurrent%20number%20of%20staff%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%2020%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestment%20stage%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Seed%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestors%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%204impact%2C%20ABN%20Amro%2C%20Impact%20Ventures%20and%20group%20of%20angels%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
More from Rashmee Roshan Lall
Our legal consultant
Name: Dr Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
The years Ramadan fell in May
The Saga Continues
Wu-Tang Clan
(36 Chambers / Entertainment One)
More on Quran memorisation:
