When you're a wife and a mother, it's easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle of everyday life. However, this does not rule out the possibility of getting a good career when raising a family. The trick is to strike a balance between work and home life, accept the necessary sacrifices, and find satisfaction in everything you do.
All this is what Doctor Mom, Mirah Borja, has done and continues to do, as she juggles family and career. Get to know this inspiring supermom, and learn how she juggles home life and hospital work while dealing with the ongoing pandemic
Known online as @doctormomph, Mirah is also a TikTok creator who shares helpful information on obstetric and gynecologic conditions, the journey from pregnancy to motherhood, and the wonders of parenting. She shares, "In this time of pandemic, access to health care has become limited and this is why I have dedicated majority of my videos to respond to medical inquiries that have been posted on my comments section. I myself went through a pregnancy during this pandemic, and it felt tougher than I had imagined. Like how I felt, I know that there are pregnant mothers out there who wanted to seek consult but fear putting themselves and their babies at risk."
One of Mirah's first videos talks about danger signs to watch out for during pregnancy, a subject that is important to her as a medical professional. "As an Obstetrician, I am very particular about this, and this is what we advise all our patients to watch out for before sending them home. Not only does it assure me that I have well-advised my patients, but it also makes my patients feel empowered that she is able to look after her and her baby’s well-being as well," she says.
Apart from being a doctor, Mirah is also a first-time mom. She says that, while she is devoted to her profession, her top priority will always be her child. But being able to balance family time and work is hard enough, and the COVID-19 pandemic has made things even more difficult. Mirah shares, "Being a devoted mom, being a devoted wife, all the while being a devoted doctor takes practice. It took a whole lot of patience and skill to attune myself to this constantly changing environment that is full of uphill struggles, decisions, and joy. I try to balance work and family by creating a “To do list” for the following day before I go sleep, waking up early every day and being productive as much as I can during the day so that I can spend the night with my family."
One of the biggest hurdles faced by Mirah during the pandemic was having to leave her then two-week old daughter to attend to her patients. "I think it was the hardest moment I had during this motherhood – the first time that I had to leave her side. Imagine not being able to breastfeed, not being able to go home to hold, hug, and kiss your baby because of fear of exposing her to the disease. I longed for her, and knowing that she too was longing for me was the hardest thing to endure at that time," she shares. Despite the sacrifices, Mirah believes that the best thing about being a working mom is being able to continue doing what she loves. Being a physician is, for her, the most fulfilling job.
Mirah's advice to other moms, whether they work or stay at home is, "As moms, we will always somehow tend to put everyone else’s needs before our own – Mommy’s instinct! But this may eventually lead to mommy burnout. So take a break once in a while." She adds, "Do not be ashamed to take a breather. Making time for yourself is a must."
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