They say motherhood changes a woman’s life completely. From physical and emotional to psychological shifts, it’s a transformation few are ever fully prepared for. Pregnancy is only the beginning, and giving birth and raising a “little human” bring an entirely new set of challenges.
For new mothers, self-care often takes a back seat. As the saying goes, you can’t pour from an empty cup, and actress, beauty queen, and brand ambassador Megan Young learned that caring for herself again was an essential part of her journey into motherhood.
During an interview at her launch as the new face of Sisters sanitary napkin, the former Miss World shared the lessons, struggles, and joys that came with welcoming her son, Leon, with husband and fellow actor Mikael Daez.
“When I first found out I was pregnant, I had no idea what to expect,” Megan told Manila Standard Life. “Before, I used to think only about my career, it was all me, me, me, or Mikael,” she recalled. “But now, my awareness, not just for Leon, our baby, but for all the people around me, has become so much stronger. Maybe because when I was pregnant, so many people took care of me. I really took notice of that, and now I want to give it back.”
The actress described the early months of motherhood as both beautiful and emotionally overwhelming. “During the first two months, I felt intense sadness and happiness, everything was extreme,” she admitted. “Sometimes I’d laugh and then cry from happiness. My emotions were all over the place. But Mikael helped me process all of that. He was really there for me.”
Megan also spoke about the realities of postpartum adjustment, saying that many new moms go through it, often without realizing it at first.
“Some moms, especially first-timers, experience postpartum reactions because it really is a difficult time to adjust,” she explained. “I went through intense emotions, extreme sadness, extreme happiness, and extreme anger, but Mikael helped me through it.”
She acknowledged that certain products and tools have made her transition into motherhood easier.
“There are more mom-focused products now that help us take care of ourselves,” she said. “Sometimes you forget about yourself because you’re focused on your baby. But when you take care of yourself, you become a better mom.”
Finding balance, Megan pointed out that it takes teamwork. Like with Mikael, her husband reminds her to do things for herself.
“He’ll say, ‘Uy, mag-gym ka dito, diba gusto mong mag-gym?’ because he knows I get overwhelmed sometimes,” she shared. “Having that reassurance from him helps me overcome that mom guilt. We’re a team, and we share responsibilities.”
Since being cleared by her doctor to work out again, the 35-year-old first-time mom has rediscovered the joy of simple routines.
“Even walking for 30 minutes a day makes me feel better. It’s those little things, nails, manicure, pedicure, that make you feel so much better about yourself,” she said. “When I feel good, I carry myself better throughout the day and take care of my baby with more energy.”
Talking about how motherhood has changed her, Megan said the experience has made her stronger and more capable than she ever imagined.
“Throughout this journey, especially after Mikael got injured, I realized I could take the lead for our family,” she said. “I didn’t know I had it in me. I feel proud to say that.”
Her message to fellow mothers: “Make sure you’re happy with what you’re doing and with the choices you make. That’s what really matters. It’s not just about raising a child, it’s about becoming the best version of yourself, too.”
