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M A R Y A M H E N N A

@maryam_henna____

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A Mother with Dreams!
Psycho-Oncologist
Doctoral Student - IIT Bombay
DM for Collaborations / PR šŸ’Œ
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She was pregnant when she applied for a PhD at IIT Bombay. Four months after giving birth, she appeared for the entrance exam while still breastfeeding her son, Omi. šŸŒ± She moved from Kerala to Mumbai with her baby and took him to classes, labs and meetings when childcare wasnā€™t possible. There were doubts, exhaustion and the constant guilt of balancing motherhood with her dream. But then a woman told her, ā€œI enrolled for higher studies after watching you.ā€ Her journey became someone elseā€™s courage.ā¤ļø @maryam_henna____ #IITBombay #momdream #MotherhoodAndCareer #PhDLife #TheBetterIndia [iit bombay mother phd scholar with baby, woman pursuing phd after pregnancy in india, mother balancing phd and motherhood, mother following her dreams) by @maryam_henna____
There has never been a month like this.. A month of experiencing the deepest love and the greatest pain. A month of learning the great art of breastfeeding. A month of adjusting to an entirely new 'world'. A month of being occupied day and night, yet feeling unproductive. A month of discovering the incredible possibilities of my body. A month of battling between self and selflessness. A month of meeting a long-known friend and having him forever, In Sha Allah. A month of parenthood with @mhd_nzm_ul_hq wouldn't have survived anything without himšŸ„ŗšŸ«‚ A Month of Counting Endless Blessings!! Alhamdulillah!! Masha Allah!! Allahummabarik!! by @maryam_henna____
I came to IIT Bombay on the 22nd of July 2025 for pursuing my PhD. I took this photo in the last week of July, wanting to post it the same day and celebrate my admission to ā€˜THEā€™ IIT Bombay! But life wasnā€™t very buttery smoothā€¦ Managing a home, a baby (and the babyā€™s caretaker), and academics was too much for me to handle. My Instagram time went down to less than 10 minutes a day. My daily step count went above 10,000. Meals reduced to just two a day. Postpartum supplements were Nowhere in the sight! And just when I was trying to adjust to this ā€œnew normal,ā€ a viral infection hit me and lasted for 21 days. I still had to take care of Omi and Thatha, who were both weaker than me. Pulling all-nighters while sick, managing a baby and his nannyā€¦that was the worst Iā€™ve ever been through. My breast milk supply went low.. Omi was not full.. but no one to offer you a homely meal.. We survived weeks on kanji just because that was the only thing all three of us could eat. Amidst all this, I missed being an IITian. I missed celebrating what I had really achieved. Even now, I get goosebumps every time I pass this gateā€¦ I feel super proud when my face appears on the security screen as they scan my ID cardā€¦ I think of how it wasnā€™t even a dream I dared to dream! Every day, so many people pass through this gate wishing they could be inside just once.. and here I, a very very average student from a very middle-class family in Malappuram, am getting a chance to study in this institutionā€¦ that too after becoming a mother! All hail @mhd_nzm_ul_hq without him I would have been nowhere! Swipe left and youā€™ll see a note I wrote when I started preparing for IIT on July 22, 2024 (exactly one year before the admission!). Things didnā€™t go the way we hoped, but Iā€™m here only because he trusted me with everything. Now Iā€™m inside the campus, preparing for Inter IIT Cultural Fest, enjoying all the privileges.. from hostel to mess, evening strolls, and winter nightsā€¦ I feel itā€™s finally time to post this. šŸ’™āœØ . #iit #iitb #iitbombay #phd #phdstudentlife by @maryam_henna____
Me and My Tripod against SingaporešŸ‡øšŸ‡¬ #singapore #travel #woman #instagood #reels by @maryam_henna____
I am someone who absolutely loves preserving memories. And honestly, a photo album can never get old! Bet me, none of your Instagram posts can ever come close to the feeling of flipping through a photo album. The joy of running your fingertips over the memories youā€™ve created, holding those pictures close to your face, and sometimes even kissing the people in themā€¦ thereā€™s something so incredibly special about it. Whether itā€™s about preserving your memories for a lifetime or sharing a little piece of your heart with someone through a gift, trust me, a photo album is one of the most wholesome gifts you can give. And no matter where you are, @littlemore.by.hamna will bring these memories to your doorstep, not just safely, but beautifully crafted with love. ā¤ļø #photo #memories #gift #baby #instagood by @maryam_henna____
Sooo In Love With this TrendāœØ I must seriously learn some styling tips from ChatgptšŸ˜­ā¤ļø #1980s #trend #instagood #family #retro by @maryam_henna____
Wait till the EndšŸ˜… #instagood #baby #babyboy #mom #parenting by @maryam_henna____
July 23rd Marked One year of Us in IIT. So here I am, trying to put it all in a nut case. 1. Just after the Entrance and Interview (Omi was 4 months old). It was drizzling, I asked a stranger to take a photo when my mom was waiting in the cab, suddenly my phone said 'storage full' and had to take it in my Mom's phone. I wanted this photo very badly, because you know, 'what if I dont make it to this campus?' šŸ«  2. But Yeah, We DID make it to IITB. We packed Our Bags and shifted to Mumbai for our Dreams. Omi crawled for fist time on 24th of July 2025 , it was in Hostel 15 of IITB, where we stayed temporarily until we find a good place to reside. 3. The Black Chapter. This video is a replica of my most difficult times in Mumbai. All Me, Omi and his caretaker (who's around her late 50's) fell sick at the same time. I had literally No-one to call for help. Being sick I still had to stand straight as the 'woman' of the house, Took cake of Omi n his nanny. Pushed through sleepless nights. Took them to multiple Hospital visits. Missed Classes. Cried a lot. Even had thoughts of dropping the course, leave everything and Go back. Still Prayed, kept hoping, Took Therapy and yeah somehow survived. 4. Rays of Hope Days passed, I was still trying to find friends in people. put a lot of effort in different ways.. Then It was Lokah and Onam Which Brought @adeeb_sherif and @farheen.khader to our life and stay since then. Life has never been 'That' bad since then. Whatever happened, never did they let me go through it alonešŸ„ŗšŸ«‚ 5. Omi's First time with us in class. 6. It was the first time I went to Campus during a late hour. We were there for Inter IIT culinary Arts Interview, which was at 10:30 in the night šŸ«  ( yeah thats how IITB timeline works. with students having classes from 8:30 AM to 8:30 PM, all extra curriculars happen after that) Ok, So thats the Day @itz_kaushik35 , interviewed me and decided to Keep me in the team no matter whatever obstacles come in between. (PS: eventually Kaushik successfully took the next seat beside Adeeb n Farheen ) 7: Journeys Together. Yeah we did a lot of this. Carrying multiple suitcases and bags along with Omi was indeed dif by @maryam_henna____
ā€Ł…Ų§ Ų“Ų§Ų” Ų§Ł„Ł„Ł‡ HOME IS US šŸ’ŸšŸ«‚ ā€œIndeed what is to come will be better for you than what has gone by.ā€ [Quran, 93:4] by @maryam_henna____
I always wanted to document Omiā€™s milestones in different ways.. Among all the ideas, this "white background-chocolate cake and candle-sleeping Omi" was my favorite! I chose this setup because it was simple to execute. No extra props.. just a white bedsheet and his baby blanket. To be very honest, when I took his very first photo, I never thought I would be able to continue it for all 12 months. It may not sound like a big deal, but it truly wasnā€™t easy. If you look closely, you might notice a shift in photography style and perfection from the 7th month onward. Thatā€™s because until 6 months, I had support ā€” mostly from @afreedazainn and sometimes from @fathimaa.hasnaa_ ... After that, From handling the camera to buying the cake and candle, spreading the bed, rocking Omi to sleep, running to the kitchen to light the candle , everything was single handedly done by mešŸ™ƒ I even started with fancy cakes and brownies. But while trying hard to manage within my stipend (and obviously being the one who ended up eating them šŸ˜…), I shifted to ā‚¹20 Britannia brownies and even ā‚¹10 cupcakes. And.. What you donā€™t see are the countless failed attempts.. the times he woke up while I was lighting the candle or adjusting the blanket, and the moment was gone. Then I would have to wait another whole day or two for the next chance. Wherever I traveled, the white bedsheet and blanket were the two things I never compromised on carrying. These photos were taken in different places.. from my home, to @mhd_nzm_ul_hq ā€™s home, from our apartment in Bhandup to Hostel 15 at IIT Bombay. I still remember getting severe back pain after his first month shoot. I was still in my recovery period. And when I took his 12th month photo, the pain was different.. it was the heaviness of realizing that my tiny baby had turned into a brand new toddler! This may not be something huge. But I didnā€™t give up on documenting him. I made sure I had every single monthly milestone photo.. even when people made fun of me, even when they said it was unnecessary, even when I lacked support! And Iā€™m so proud of that. In the end, the little ā€œextraā€ effort we put in will always matter. It will always be worth itā£ļø by @maryam_henna____
When Kaushik told me, ā€œIā€™ll take care of your baby during practices. We just want you in the team,ā€ during the selection process, I never took it seriously! I underestimated how a 21 year old BTech student would handle an 11 month old baby for long stretches of timeā€¦ But Kaushik kept his word! He made sure that both Omi and I did not face any problems, on or off campus, throughout our stay! He was the Genre Captain of the Culinary Teamā€¦ Yes, it was his responsibility to ensure the team worked hard to win! But it was never his responsibility to take care of a team memberā€™s child. Yet, he chose to show up, despite facing many challenges. Even when he had other important things. Without him, this whole Inter-IIT wouldnā€™t have been this buttery smooth! Very easily, Omi found comfort in him, and at times, he even chose Kaushik over me šŸ˜…. Kaushik made sure there were fruits in the kitchen for Omi and fed him almost every day. He rocked Omi to sleep, played with him, held him whenever Omi got bored of the stroller or when I was tired of holding him, and even helped change him. In Kanpur, amidst all his schedules, he ensured that I was never alone with Omi. Even if he couldnā€™t be with us himself, he would always arrange for someone else. Omi was given the highest priority in the entire team. Honestly, I never expected this level of responsibility from a 21-year-old. Inter-IITs came to an end. We are all back home. Omi will grow older, Kaushik will chase his dreamsā€¦ but as a mother, I cannot wrap up this year without a gratitude post for this beautiful human. Dear Kaushik, Regardless of the language you speak, you made a space in Omiā€™s little heart.. Just as you always feared. Omi may not remember these moments, or even you, but I will make sure he knows your story. He will know that once there was a boy who loved him deeply and took such wonderful care of him. Thank you for being there. šŸ¤ by @maryam_henna____
Feeling a huge denial that youā€™re already 6 months old...šŸ„ŗ You no longer fit perfectly in the crook of my arm, but you still crawl into me...even in the darkness of night. I still sterilize all your toysā€¦ but now, you prefer picking things up from the floor. I try squeezing you into 0ā€“3 month clothes, but here you are.. shining even in your 6ā€“9 month ones. I still track your sleep and poops, but now youā€™ve found a rhythm of your own. It doesnā€™t feel like a one-way effort anymore. You give back in the sweetest ways... with your smile, your eyes, your little gesturesšŸ«‚ Now..The nights are longer, feeding is more engaging, and somehow, we know each other like weā€™ve known forever. Omikkuttaa.. I did my best. Even when the world questioned me. Even when I was pushed beyond my limits. With you in my arms, I studied. I traveled places. I even learned to DRIVE!! just so I could exclusively feed you a little longer. It was hard. I fellā€¦ but I bounced back. And Baba...he fueled me, stretched my wings, and believed in me.. so I could give you the very best. It was all worth it. Every moment. Every tear. Every triumph. ALHAMDULILLAHāœØ by @maryam_henna____

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