Where do I start? That’s the daily voice in my head with mom’s brain and most possibly how I start this too. Motherhood is messy and most of the time confusing. But pursuing my MBA at Cambridge while navigating pregnancy and new motherhood has taught me that we’re capable of far more than we imagine.
My MBA experience has been unique from the start. I had a tiny companion accompanying me everywhere, especially in class – where he was incredibly active, kicking and punching my protruding belly. I like to think he was excited to get a head start on learning. This Cambridge baby was going to be special.
Rather than being a distraction, he became a positive voice inside my head that kept me resilient. He motivated me by reminding me that I, as a woman, can achieve both academic and professional goals while succeeding at family goals – thanks to my supportive husband. I found myself becoming more daring than ever, taking on challenges I was previously uncomfortable with.
This extraordinary time taught me essential skills I hadn’t properly developed before: managing expectations, setting clear boundaries and priorities, and finding creative solutions when facing unexpected challenges. Pregnancy was teaching me as much as my coursework.
However, it wasn’t all smooth sailing. My delivery was complicated, involving green amniotic fluid, induction and two epidurals. What was supposed to be a normal delivery turned into an emergency c-section. Recovery was tough, both physically and emotionally.
Fortunately, I had immense support from the MBA Programme team and my cohort, allowing me to maintain my academic standards even during this challenging period. Their understanding and flexibility made the impossible feel achievable.
I’m excited about what the future holds for both me and my baby. I remember staring at the hospital wall filled with cute cut out baby decorations while under gas and air, managing the pain from contractions. In that moment, I said to myself: “I can do anything my mind sets out to, even the most difficult things. Because I survived the hardest experience of my life.”
That realisation didn’t just apply to childbirth – it applied to everything. Balancing recovery from major surgery while caring for a new born and completing my Cambridge MBA seemed overwhelming, but I had already proven to myself that I could handle the impossible.
This journey has redefined my understanding of capability, resilience and what it means to pursue ambitious goals. Sometimes the most challenging paths lead to the most profound growth – for both mother and child.
For more on women on the Cambridge MBA please visit our MBA web pages here>