What's it like to be a pregnant woman in Lebanon?
Lebanese graphic designer and illustrator Maya Zankoul creatively answers this question, capturing the experience through a series of illustrations she posts on Instagram using the hashtag: #pregnancydiaries.
Zankoul is the talented face behind the blog Maya's Amalgam. She is also the co-founder of creative video company Wezank and the author of several illustrated books.
Speaking to StepFeed, she explained how she came up with the idea for the series.
"I've been drawing comics for several years now, but when I became pregnant, I found that there's so much to say about this experience, especially in the Lebanese society," she says, adding that the goal behind the series is "to laugh about the ordeals that pregnant women go through in general and specifically in Lebanon," and to put a smile on the faces of people who might be going through the same experience.
Zankoul achieves her goal with illustrations that are relatable, right on point, and often quite hilarious:
1. The long awaited announcement
2. Reality versus social media
3. The people who will ask: Boy or Girl smallah
4. The real struggle
5. The mood swings
The series is set to grow as Zankoul illustrates more of her journey.
When asked if an illustrated pregnancy-diary book could be in the works, she answered:
"I'm still in the early phase of working on the comics, but if I end up with a nice big enough collection, I might publish them in a book."