Mothers In Medicine Podcast · Mothers In Medicine

The juggle, Imposter Syndrome and the importance of mentors and supervisors as a mother in medicine, Professor Anna David

·37 min·2 clips

Professor Anna David says she has “no balance there at all” — only a “work-life juggle.”

The conversation begins with the blunt line that there is no work-life balance. It is a work-life juggle. Dr. Shola frames the show as a place for honest conversation with mothers in medicine. Professor Anna David answers as a senior clinician and parent who knows the strain well. She talks through the reality of balancing clinical academic work with young children. Her childcare story shifts as family life changes. A nanny helps in the early stage. Later, the family moves to nursery days, a grandmother coming in, and then the old nanny returning. The setup keeps changing because childcare never really stands still. She describes trying to finish a PhD during maternity leave. The discussion chapter would not cooperate. Her mother stepping in for several months makes that work possible. There is a clear sense that support is not a luxury. She says pregnant doctors often feel invincible. She argues they need to look after themselves far more than they think. The episode also lands on imposter syndrome and the importance of mentors and supervisors. She and Dr. Shola keep circling back to the same practical idea: if you are a working mum, you need help. She recommends paying for good childcare and treating it as peace of mind rather than waste. She also suggests dropping anything that is not important, from ironing to other chores that drain time without giving much back.

As heard by us

A grounded look at medicine, motherhood, and the support that makes the juggle possible.

This episode stays with the daily strain of medicine and young children, and Professor Anna David speaks about it plainly. It moves through imposter syndrome, mentors, supervisors, and the support working mothers actually need, then lands in the practical details: childcare,…

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You need the real story behind the work-life juggle of being a mother and a doctor.

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