When I first heard about Mother Tongue, I thought to myself: 'Oh, great, another podcast about motherhood and parenting (cue eye-roll). Surely the digital and social media sphere has enough mummy bloggers, influencers and podcasters; do we need another one?'
As I find it far more interesting when new mums think they have garnered enough experience to share any insight (believe me as a mother of four girls, they have no idea what's coming), I switch on Mother Tongue. The podcast was started in January by three British mums in Dubai: Maryanne Peacock, 31, Ellis Harwood, 30, and Jess Savage, 33, and is about their "honest journey" of motherhood.
The greatest challenge many women go through is learning to love their body during pregnancy – some glow while others struggle with the weight gain
I'm slightly taken aback as I listen to the first episode, Pregnancy. Nothing is sugar-coated as the trio delve straight into a discussion on conception, buying their first pregnancy test and finding creative ways to tell their husband the news.
As I listen, I find myself reflecting on my first pregnancy, wondering if I would have benefited, back in 2005, from this podcast. I will always recommend new mums, or anyone planning to have a child, listen to those willing to talk frankly.
Mother Tongue does just that.
The chemistry among the women, as they share their very different pregnancy and birthing journeys, is warm and inviting; I feel like I’m sitting around with old friends drinking a cup of tea.
No, she didn’t just say that, I giggle, as they begin talking about their doctor’s advice to help induce labour. Yes, I think to myself, I remember getting the same advice; that’s what got me into a mess.
The memories I had buried 16 years ago begin to unravel as I listen to their experiences with morning sickness, food smells and bizarre cravings.
However, the greatest challenge many women go through is learning to love their body during pregnancy – some glow while others, like myself, struggle with the weight gain and emotional roller coaster.
The trio reflect this. “I felt so beautiful in my pregnancy and I think it had a lot to do with my husband telling me how beautiful I looked,” recalls Savage, mother of 11-month-old Spencer. Peacock, a PR professional and mum of five-month old Rafa, was more practical: “I didn’t love my body, but I knew this is what I had to go through to have a baby.”
Meanwhile, Harwood, mum of 10-month-old Frida, says she just felt fat because her bump didn’t pop out until later. “Once the bump popped then I began to appreciate what my body was doing. I struggled with body image before my pregnancy, but now I appreciate it.”
I felt the same appreciation after piling on 20 kilograms in my first pregnancy. But unlike these mums living away from home – Peacock was pregnant during the pandemic, no less – I was living in Sydney and surrounded by my family.
In the second episode, Birth, Peacock reveals how she struggled during her "nightmare" labour, which eventually led to a fever and fears of contracting Covid-19.
'Mother Tongue' has six episodes in the first season, with some featuring experts in fitness and breastfeeding
As she recalls her painful story, and finally getting some relief with an epidural, I remember my doctor telling me that my first baby was distressed and that if I hadn't delivered 12 hours after going into labour, I would have to have an emergency C-section. I was also definitely not mentally prepared for labour and the severe pain that followed. Looking back, I wish more women openly discussed the difficulty of giving birth rather than euphemising it.
Mother Tongue has six episodes in the first season, with some featuring experts in fitness and breastfeeding. "We thought there wasn't enough support in the pod-sphere for expat parents living away from their families, so we decided to create a space where they could go for non-judgemental advice, support and a bit of love," says Peacock.
Clearly this podcast is not targeted at seasoned mothers like myself; however, if you're planning a pregnancy or are pregnant, I recommend you join these women on their parenting journey. It's refreshing to hear people talk so boldly about their experiences and tackle taboo topics that are usually glossed over.
GIANT REVIEW
Starring: Amir El-Masry, Pierce Brosnan
Director: Athale
Rating: 4/5
Company info
Company name: Entrupy
Co-founders: Vidyuth Srinivasan, co-founder/chief executive, Ashlesh Sharma, co-founder/chief technology officer, Lakshmi Subramanian, co-founder/chief scientist
Based: New York, New York
Sector/About: Entrupy is a hardware-enabled SaaS company whose mission is to protect businesses, borders and consumers from transactions involving counterfeit goods.
Initial investment/Investors: Entrupy secured a $2.6m Series A funding round in 2017. The round was led by Tokyo-based Digital Garage and Daiwa Securities Group's jointly established venture arm, DG Lab Fund I Investment Limited Partnership, along with Zach Coelius.
Total customers: Entrupy’s customers include hundreds of secondary resellers, marketplaces and other retail organisations around the world. They are also testing with shipping companies as well as customs agencies to stop fake items from reaching the market in the first place.
Company profile
Company: Verity
Date started: May 2021
Founders: Kamal Al-Samarrai, Dina Shoman and Omar Al Sharif
Based: Dubai
Sector: FinTech
Size: four team members
Stage: Intially bootstrapped but recently closed its first pre-seed round of $800,000
Investors: Wamda, VentureSouq, Beyond Capital and regional angel investors
The specs: 2018 Nissan 370Z Nismo
The specs: 2018 Nissan 370Z Nismo
Price, base / as tested: Dh182,178
Engine: 3.7-litre V6
Power: 350hp @ 7,400rpm
Torque: 374Nm @ 5,200rpm
Transmission: Seven-speed automatic
Fuel consumption, combined: 10.5L / 100km
COMPANY PROFILE
Founders: Alhaan Ahmed, Alyina Ahmed and Maximo Tettamanzi
Total funding: Self funded
MATCH INFO
Rugby World Cup (all times UAE)
Final: England v South Africa, Saturday, 1pm
The specs
Engine: 4.0-litre V8 twin-turbocharged and three electric motors
Power: Combined output 920hp
Torque: 730Nm at 4,000-7,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed dual-clutch automatic
Fuel consumption: 11.2L/100km
On sale: Now, deliveries expected later in 2025
Price: expected to start at Dh1,432,000
Tips to keep your car cool
- Place a sun reflector in your windshield when not driving
- Park in shaded or covered areas
- Add tint to windows
- Wrap your car to change the exterior colour
- Pick light interiors - choose colours such as beige and cream for seats and dashboard furniture
- Avoid leather interiors as these absorb more heat
Groom and Two Brides
Director: Elie Semaan
Starring: Abdullah Boushehri, Laila Abdallah, Lulwa Almulla
Rating: 3/5
MOUNTAINHEAD REVIEW
Starring: Ramy Youssef, Steve Carell, Jason Schwartzman
Director: Jesse Armstrong
Rating: 3.5/5
TRAP
Starring: Josh Hartnett, Saleka Shyamalan, Ariel Donaghue
Director: M Night Shyamalan
Rating: 3/5
Zayed Sustainability Prize
Results
2.30pm: Handicap (PA) Dh40,000 1,700m; Winner: AF Mezmar, Adam McLean (jockey), Ernst Oertel (trainer).
3pm: Maiden (PA) Dh40,000 2,000m; Winner: AF Ajwad, Tadhg O’Shea, Ernst Oertel.
3.30pm: Handicap (PA) Dh40,000 1,200m; Winner: Gold Silver, Sam Hitchcott, Ibrahim Aseel.
4pm: Maiden (PA) Dh40,000 1,000m; Winner: Atrash, Richard Mullen, Ana Mendez.
4.30pm: Gulf Cup Prestige (PA) Dh150,000 1,700m; Winner: AF Momtaz, Saif Al Balushi, Musabah Al Muhairi.
5pm: Handicap (TB) Dh40,000 1,200m; Winner: Al Mushtashar, Richard Mullen, Satish Seemar.
TOUR RESULTS AND FIXTURES
June 3: NZ Provincial Barbarians 7 Lions 13
June 7: Blues 22 Lions 16
June 10: Crusaders 3 Lions 12
June 13: Highlanders 23 Lions 22
June 17: Maori All Blacks 10 Lions 32
June 20: Chiefs 6 Lions 34
June 24: New Zealand 30 Lions 15 (First Test)
June 27: Hurricanes 31 Lions 31
July 1: New Zealand 21 Lions 24 (Second Test)
July 8: New Zealand v Lions (Third Test) - kick-off 11.30am (UAE)
Islamophobia definition
A widely accepted definition was made by the All Party Parliamentary Group on British Muslims in 2019: “Islamophobia is rooted in racism and is a type of racism that targets expressions of Muslimness or perceived Muslimness.” It further defines it as “inciting hatred or violence against Muslims”.
Company%20profile
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T20 WORLD CUP QUALIFIERS
Qualifier A, Muscat
(All matches to be streamed live on icc.tv)
Fixtures
Friday, February 18: 10am Oman v Nepal, Canada v Philippines; 2pm Ireland v UAE, Germany v Bahrain
Saturday, February 19: 10am Oman v Canada, Nepal v Philippines; 2pm UAE v Germany, Ireland v Bahrain
Monday, February 21: 10am Ireland v Germany, UAE v Bahrain; 2pm Nepal v Canada, Oman v Philippines
Tuesday, February 22: 2pm Semi-finals
Thursday, February 24: 2pm Final
UAE squad:Ahmed Raza(captain), Muhammad Waseem, Chirag Suri, Vriitya Aravind, Rohan Mustafa, Kashif Daud, Zahoor Khan, Alishan Sharafu, Raja Akifullah, Karthik Meiyappan, Junaid Siddique, Basil Hameed, Zafar Farid, Mohammed Boota, Mohammed Usman, Rahul Bhatia
The specs: 2018 Chevrolet Trailblazer
Price, base / as tested Dh99,000 / Dh132,000
Engine 3.6L V6
Transmission: Six-speed automatic
Power 275hp @ 6,000rpm
Torque 350Nm @ 3,700rpm
Fuel economy combined 12.2L / 100km
1971: The Year The Music Changed Everything
Director: Asif Kapadia
4/5
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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RESULTS
6.30pm: Meydan Sprint Group 2 US$175,000 1,000m
Winner: Ertijaal, Jim Crowley (jockey), Ali Rashid Al Raihe (trainer)
7.05pm: Handicap $60,000 1,400m
Winner: Secret Ambition, Richard Mullen, Satish Seemar
7.40pm: Handicap $160,000 1,400m
Winner: Raven’s Corner, Richard Mullen, Satish Seemar
8.15pm: Dubai Millennium Stakes Group 3 $200,000 2,000m
Winner: Folkswood, William Buick, Charlie Appleby
8.50pm: Zabeel Mile Group 2 $250,000 1,600m
Winner: Janoobi, Jim Crowley, Mike de Kock
9.25pm: Handicap $125,000 1,600m
Winner: Capezzano, Mickael Barzalona, Salem bin Ghadayer
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
