Is Motherhood Really Worth It? ft. Leysha Al-Yahya | #89

Is Motherhood Really Worth It? ft. Leysha Al-Yahya | #89

From Head Over Heels by Maggy Wang

August 28, 2025 · 1h 16m

About this episode

Leysha Al-Yahya shares her raw and unfiltered experience of motherhood, particularly the challenges faced when her newborn was rushed to the NICU.

“Motherhood is the most wonderful thing I’ve ever experienced… but I’m not sure I ever want to do it again.” Within minutes of giving birth, Leysha’s newborn was rushed to the NICU. Doctors told her that her daughter might not make it past the week. That single moment rewired her entire identity. Leysha opens up about the side of motherhood we rarely hear about—raw, unfiltered, and terrifyingly real. 🧠 In this episode, you'll learn: •⁠ ⁠What no one tells you about becoming a mom when your baby nearly dies •⁠ ⁠Why she never saw herself as a “mother”—and how that shaped her journey •⁠ ⁠⁠ What support systems actually look like (and why “the village” isn’t always who you think) •⁠ ⁠⁠The messy reality of asking for help (hint: not pretty, but necessary) •⁠ ⁠⁠How hyper-independence shatters when you’re raising a child •⁠ ⁠⁠The pressure cooker of raising kids in 2025 •⁠ ⁠⁠And the one question she believes every woman should ask before choosing motherhood You don’t have to be a mom to feel this one. If you’ve ever been cracked open by life, forced to grow up overnight, or questioned everything you thought you knew about yourself—this episode will sit in your chest long after it ends…

People in this episode

Host: Maggy Wang

Guest: Leysha Al-Yahya

Topics covered

  • motherhood
  • identity
  • support systems
  • hyper-independence
  • parenting challenges
  • personal growth

Keywords

  • motherhood
  • NICU
  • support systems
  • hyper-independence
  • parenting
  • personal growth
  • identity

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