Bringing a child into the world is often described as a miraculous experience, but for Nadia Nasimuddin – the youngest of Naza siblings – it was a journey fraught with challenges that tested her strength and resilience. Despite the challenges, she chose to be open about her experiences so that other women could relate and feel supported. Establishing POP Neutral marked the beginning of her shift towards a healthier mindset, with self-care taking precedence above all else.
For this year’s Mother’s Day Special, FirstClasse sat with Nadia Nasimuddin to learn about her difficult pregnancies, balancing her me-time around four children, and the importance of discussing and understanding the realities of motherhood.
“As a busy mother, having a good emotional support system with people you trust is so important. It’ll make things much easier.”
On pregnancy struggles
“My first pregnancy with my son, Aiden, was quite challenging,” Nadia revealed. “I dropped a couple pounds. I could barely eat or move to the point that I felt depressed. Because it was my first pregnancy, I thought maybe it was normal. But when it came to my second, third, and fourth pregnancies, with each one becoming worse, I just knew something wasn’t right.” With her friendly demeanour and nurturing presence, one would never expect that the founder of Dotty’s Pastries & Coffees had faced rough challenges in pregnancy. From frequent hospital admissions to debilitating sickness lasting until the sixth month, Nadia’s journey to motherhood was far from ordinary.
During her second pregnancy, the challenges intensified. Nadia shared, “Before Tahlia, I even experienced a miscarriage.” She also explains how mental health discussions were not as accepted back then as they are now. “I struggled with severe depression, requiring close monitoring from my gynaecologist. I isolated myself in a dark room, shutting out the world for months.” Nadia continued, “My mother had to visit me frequently, and my husband, Hamzah, had to take care of my basic needs because I was unable to do anything independently. I had to be admitted to the hospital to get a drip because I wasn’t getting enough fluid.”
Surprisingly, perinatal struggles are not just about hormones. It is reported that around one in seven women will experience an uncommon perinatal mood or disorder, and almost 50 percent of new mothers suffering from postpartum depression are likely to be dismissed despite displaying symptoms including loss in appetite, depression and seclusion. Although more mothers are sharing their experiences and reducing the stigma around these mood disorders, not much has changed since the aughts.
On strong support system
Nadia expressed her gratitude towards her husband, Hamzah – with whom she shares 14 years of marriage – for being a pillar of support throughout her challenging motherhood journey. “I couldn’t ask for a better husband. Hamzah is such an invaluable emotional support system, a source of encouragement, and a helping hand in our journey through parenthood. Even when I was bedridden to my depression and sickness, he stepped in to take care of household responsibilities. He would come home often during lunch break just to check on me and the kids. He’s such a hands-on husband and father.”
Stemming from a close familial relationship, she further shared that her mother’s strength and her sister’s support have played in shaping her into the mother of four that she is today. Growing up under her mother’s watchful eye, she learned the importance of hard work and discipline. Two values that she now carries with her in her own journey through motherhood. “I have always admired my mother’s approach to parenting. She strikes a perfect balance between being strict and loving. And the funny part is, we never dared to complain to her about anything because she would simply tell us to toughen up, but in a good way.”
“She would say things like, ‘Oh, your maid couldn’t do it? Then do it yourself. Stop whining.’ This is one of the few things I adore about my mother. She did her best to instil discipline and values in me and my siblings.”
And as of her sister, Diana, they formed a strong bond built on mutual love and support, creating a nurturing environment where their children could thrive and grow together as a family. “I’m grateful to have Diana as my sister, and having Marion and Chryseis as sister-in-laws has made the journey of motherhood much easier as well.” Nadia shared that as mothers, siblings and in-laws play a hands-on role in assisting with childcare, sharing tips and guidance to ease the burdens of motherhood. “As a busy mother, having a good emotional support system with people you trust is so important. It’ll make things much easier.”
Through POP Neutral, Nadia aims to establish an atmosphere for mothers to foster healthy connections with their emotions
On modern parenting
Despite cherishing the experience of motherhood and considering it her greatest achievement, she occasionally finds herself plagued by negative thoughts. “It’s quite challenging nowadays because when we were young, we didn’t have smartphones, gadgets, or easy access to the internet. Raising children in this digital age can be quite challenging for both my husband and I.”
Nadia mentioned that she and her husband have set a specific time limit for their children to use gadgets. “Hamzah is quite strict when it comes to gadgets. Occasionally, he checks the settings and clears the browsing history to ensure that nothing unwanted appears while the kids are playing.” She also mentioned that having three daughters doesn’t make things easier, as they often ask why they can’t do certain things. Nadia has to explain to them that they are still young and not allowed to use any social media platforms just yet.
They also frequently had discussions about boys and girls in their household. “My husband and I would gather our children and explain to them what they should know about boys, and also about girls. Now that our son Aiden is 11 years old, we believe it’s important for him to gradually comprehend these matters,” Nadia continued, “We prefer that our son learns from us rather than from the wrong people or negative influences.”
“We prefer that our son learns from us rather than from the wrong people or negative influences”
On businesses and finding me-time
In addition to her roles as a mother, wife, and daughter, Nadia has many other responsibilities demanding her attention. Not only does she serve as a director at the well-known Naza Group, but she also leads the company’s F&B division, Lyfestyl Projects. Furthermore, she is the owner of Portluxe, a boutique specialising in pre-owned luxury designer items, and POP Neutral, a brand that offers body care products for mothers and expectant mothers – from body oils to bengkung – all carefully made using minimal and natural ingredients.
“Even with me-time moments, my attention is for my kids,” Nadia jokes. She credited her mother and late father for her parenting style, emphasising that family is the top priority no matter how busy life gets. “My me-time doesn’t have to be alone. I prefer spending quality time with my husband, friends or other loved ones.” With regards to sharing posts on Instagram of her working out with her husband or travelling abroad with friends, Nadia commented spiritedly, “That’s how I relax, and Hamzah is always supportive. He even encourages me, ‘Go ahead, I’ll take care of things at home.’ But I can’t help and think about my kids.”
Nadia emphasised the significance of mothers setting boundaries and expressing their needs. Through her journey with motherhood and POP Neutral, she strives to establish a positive atmosphere for mothers to foster healthy connections with their emotions, avoiding any resentment or stress. Nadia firmly said, “I envision POP Neutral as more than just a skincare brand – I want it to grow into a community, a safe space where mothers and expectant mothers can engage in discussions and embrace mindfulness, especially the subject of difficult pregnancy.”
Nadia Nasimuddin, with her determination, charisma, and flair, has garnered a multitude of followers both in her personal circle and on social media. Her constant drive to excel sets her apart, making her an exceptional role model and a beloved maternal figure.
Featured image: Nadia wears top and skirt from Louis Vuitton
Editor: Natalie Khoo
Art direction: Anson Siau
Styling: Alicia Wong & Mon Kai Siong
Photography: Delvin Ho
Videography: Haoyii
Hair and makeup: Asaki
