Motherhood is often spoken as a single path, shaped by tradition, expectation, and the quiet timelines society places upon women. Yet for many mothers, the journey is more than what is often seen or discussed openly. Behind the smiles, and celebrations are years of waiting, with resilience, silent heartbreaks and hope. While conversations on fertility and IVF become more visible over the years, it still remains as a deeply personal topic for many women.
This Mother’s Day, the story of Dr Darshana Menon is a reminder that motherhood is not defined by how easily the journey comes, but by strength, patience, and love carried through it. A doctor, entrepreneur and a mother of twins, Dr Darshana’s journey shows the many roles women hold, balancing ambition, vulnerability and strength. Through her saree business “Saree Machi” and her personal experience with IVF and motherhood, Dr Darshana represents the silent resilience that many women carry every single day.
From Medicine to Saree Machi. The Purpose Beyond Profession
For Dr Darshana, entrepreneurship started from a personal space rooted in culture, family and womanhood. While many today knows her as the founder of Saree Machi, her journey started in the medical field before it evolved into something creative. Started as a love and admiration for sarees eventually became a meaningful business on passion.
Dr Darshana’s was inspired by saree business after her marriage. Her mother in law had an extensive saree collection, and played a important role in gaining her knowledge on different fabrics and materials. She then built a deep appreciation and fascination for versatility of sarees. That evolved into passion, and what started as a curiosity became something she wanted to pursue professionally.
Breaking the Silence Around IVF and Infertility
For many women, IVF is not just a medical journey, its an emotional journey that tests patience, faith, and inner strength in many ways which is often invisible to others. Dr Darshana’s opinion on it sheds light on reality many silently go through.
When asked, her experience on IVF, Dr Darshana said..
Q: You’ve experienced motherhood through IVF, which can be emotional and deeply personal. What was that chapter of your life like mentally and emotionally?
A: IVF is a transformative chapter for me. I approached it with a sense of gratitude, seeing it as a blessing to even have a chance to try. Infertility is not discussed enough as it should be as it remains both deeply sensitive and at times a taboo subject. I made a conscious effort not to dwell on uncertainties or “what if’s” and instead just focused on testing the process and taking each day as it came. That mindset made the experience more manageable.
Her honestly shows the importance of normalising conversations around infertility and struggles with more empathy and openness, specially in society where such experience is still quietly hidden.
How Motherhood Reshaped Her Confidence
Motherhood is a role that instantly changes a women. From the second they carry a child, and finally hold them in their hands, the feeling of motherhood will settle in. When asked how becoming a mother changed the way she sees herself, she said.
Q: Did becoming a mother change the way you see yourself, not just personally but also as an entrepreneur?
A: Yes, becoming a mother has significantly shaped the way I approach entrepreneurship. It has made me more willing to take chances and less driven by fear. I’ve come to believe that the only real-risk is the opportunity lost by not trying. That shift in mindset has made me more decisive and confident in pursuing growth.
As said motherhood often changes women in ways that goes more than parenting. For Dr Darshana, it built courage and clarity, influencing not just her personal growth but her professional self.
Balancing Business, Twins and Her Own Identity
Balancing motherhood while managing a career and personal identity is a challenge to many women silently every single day, often carrying multiple responsibilities at once.
When asked…
Q: Running a business while raising a child can be overwhelming at times. How do you balance motherhood, work and your own identity as a woman?
A: There are moments when it does feel like a lot, specially with twins, the pace can feel relentless, like I’m handling two tornadoes at once. However, I have a strong support system, I am surrounded by an amazing family, friends and colleagues who help navigate the chaos. At the same time, I make it to a point to hold on to my identity by doing things I love, even in small pockets of time. Being in a good mental and emotional space is not luxury, it’s essential. When I am in a good headspace, I am able to be the best version of myself, and that’s what my children deserve.
Her words reflect reality of many mothers understand, the constant balancing act with care for others while trying not to lose oneself in the process. In a world which expects women to effortlessly “do it all”, Dr Darshana perspective is a reminder that motherhood needs support, self-cate and emotional wellbeing.
A Message to Women Still Waiting for Motherhood
When asked,
Q: This Mother’s Day, what message would you like to share with women who are still waiting, struggling or hoping to experience motherhood one day?
A: I truly believe that motherhood goes beyond childbirth. To me, all women carry a nurturing instinct, we step up in moments of need and show up when life calls for it. I’ve come to believe that what truly is meant for you will ALWAYS find it’s way to you. Good things take time, and the most meaningful ones often take longer. Faith becomes our anchor in these moments, so hold on to it, and allow it to carry you forward, one step at a time.
More Than Just a Motherhood Story
As Mother’s Day celebrate the beauty of motherhood, stories like Dr Darshana’s reminds us that every journey towards it looks different. Some come easily while many others has patience, sacrifice and emotional endurance. Within these journeys is a powerful form of strength that deserves to be acknowledged as openly as motherhood.
Through her experience as a doctor, entrepreneur, mother and woman who got through IVF with hope and resilience. Dr Darshana’s story is more than a personal journey, it is filled with reflection of many women who continue to hold on to faith.
Happy Mother’s Day to All the Mothers Out There!
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