Navigating the complexities of motherhood can be overwhelming. Sophie Sherief, a UK entrepreneur and founder of DIVA Media, reflects on a photo of herself taken just before she welcomed her daughter. The picture captures her in full-term pregnancy, a laptop perched on her belly, hustling to complete work the day before her scheduled C-section.
Initially, she viewed that image as a symbol of her tenacity. However, in a recent TikTok video, which has garnered over a million views, Sophie admits it now brings her an ache of regret. She recognizes that she missed the essence of maternity leave altogether.
There’s a photo of me with a laptop balanced on my pregnant belly. The day before I went for my C-Section. It used to feel iconic. Now? It just makes me ache. Because I missed maternity leave completely. I was running one of the biggest events in Central Hereford – the highest attended single event in the city’s history – while my best friend walked my 8-week-old baby around the festival site. My mum brought my laptop to the hospital on day one. And yes… I opened it. Because “the work wouldn’t do itself.” Because I thought that was success. Because I’d built a business that relied on me – always. But in 2020, everything shifted. I had 6 months with my 18-month-old son. We slow-cooked. We skate-parked. I taught him to speak and to walk. We lived. And I realised: I’m done missing the good stuff. No more glorifying burnout. No more building businesses that steal Saturdays and silence Sundays. Now? I have systems. Structure. SPACE. And I teach other women how to do the same – with just a few powerful shifts. This isn’t a pitch for ease. It’s a blueprint for freedom. FOLLOW me to come along for the ride where I’ll teach you to do the same
Many mothers resonate with Sophie’s experience. How often do we mistake our exhaustion for resilience, believing that pushing through is what strong women do?
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How a laptop ended up in the maternity ward
Sherief dedicated years to growing DIVA Wedding Fayres into a renowned brand, orchestrating over 40 wedding events annually. By the time her daughter arrived, her relentless work ethic had become ingrained.
On the day of her C-section, while still recovering from major abdominal surgery, she asked her mother to bring along her laptop. She convinced herself that she would only tackle a few tasks during her baby’s naps. It felt like proof that she could balance being a new mom and a business owner.
When work in the hospital is normalized
In her TikTok comments, many mothers shared similar stories that were both shocking and relatable.
“Back to work 4 weeks after the birth of my 2 youngest, I will forever mourn the days at home with my babies I never got to have 😞” – @isabelle_hc
“I left work at 10:30 am, not knowing she’d be born within three hours. I was sending emails that night in between feeds in the hospital. Running a business doesn’t stop” – @kelly.whan
“I was doing my tax return the night before a planned c-section… then back to work 10 days postpartum and recovering from pneumonia.” – @4kidsacatanddan
The culture among moms often celebrates these instances. Look how devoted she is! But these narratives often reflect survival tactics rather than true empowerment in a system that offers little room for healing.
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The system behind the hustle
In the UK, employed parents are entitled to up to 52 weeks of maternity leave, some of which is paid. However, self-employed individuals typically rely on a capped Maternity Allowance, making it challenging to take necessary time off. Many female entrepreneurs feel that their businesses are entirely dependent on their constant presence.
The scenario is even more pressing for mothers in the United States. With no federal paid maternity leave, many parents rush back to work shortly after childbirth just to maintain their income or health insurance.
This leads to an environment where working while recovering in the maternity ward feels less like a choice and more like an obligation.
The breaking point and a new beginning
For Sherief, her pivotal moment arrived with the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. Wedding events were canceled. Travel plans vanished. This unexpected pause meant she was home with her five- and two-year-olds, relishing in relaxed mornings and afternoons filled with skate park outings.
This break illuminated how burned out she really was. Those quiet moments began to compensate for the maternity leave she had missed.
She took pride in her business achievements while mourning the moments she had rushed past.
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Reimagining life and work with new guidelines
Sophie has since transformed her approach to business. Moving away from high-stress events, she now focuses on online work, media, and helping self-employed mothers. She established firm boundaries around her weekends and evenings.
Her definition of success morphed; it shifted from being present everywhere to creating systems that allow her to breathe. She now emphasizes allowing her work to support her desired lifestyle.
Additionally, Sophie has built a supportive network of friends, family, and community to create space for rest and rejuvenation. She actively teaches other mothers to implement these changes, even in small ways.
The guilt she still feels, and how she reconciles it
Sherief acknowledges the lingering ache of her memories juggling business tasks during newborn naps. However, she observes the richness her children have gained from her recent changes: A mother who has slowed down. A mother who is grounded, embodying creativity, leadership, and self-compassion, even during her struggles.
It’s normal to grieve the maternity leave that slipped away. That grief can inform more intentional choices in the future.
For any mom who can relate to that hospital laptop scenario
Here’s a gentle check-in:
Acknowledge your warning signs
Perhaps it’s where you found yourself during a hospital stay. Or maybe sneaking into the bathroom at 2 a.m. to respond to work emails. Reflect on a moment that still weighs heavily on you.
Identify the motivations behind your hustle
Is it a fear of losing income or disappointing others? Perfectionism? Tying your identity to being reliable? These aren’t flaws; they are strategies for surviving in a system that often overlooks the needs of mothers.
Establish a boundary this week
Utilize auto-replies for specific hours. Decline or postpone one commitment. Enlist someone to assist with school pickups so you can take a moment for yourself.
Create simple systems to lessen your workload
Think about templates, scheduled posts, and distinguishing between tasks only you can manage versus those you could potentially delegate. If you’re not a business owner, have an honest discussion with your supervisor about expectations, coverage, and a gradual return.
Related article: 81% of working moms face burnout while ‘managing it all,’ Gallup study finds
What changes are needed beyond individual resilience
Real recovery demands actionable systems. Paid leave for self-employed parents and contractors is essential. Workplaces need to plan for parental leave rather than operate on the fly. Cultural shifts are necessary to acknowledge postpartum recovery as vital, not optional.
Sherief now guides mothers towards a more liberated approach to work. Not ease, but freedom. A work-life balance that allows them to disengage without fear of collapse.
A new kind of badge of honor
When she looks at the photo from the hospital, Sherief no longer sees a strong individual but rather someone who deserved comprehensive support.
The next badge of honor can encompass something entirely different. It can be about safeguarding your healing. Allowing active systems to shoulder more of your responsibilities. Choosing to be present with your newborn during precious moments.
Your ambitions will remain intact. Your baby’s early days will not. We all deserve a world that accommodates both.
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