Alternatively the other side of the city (Pikesville, Towson outskirts) still decent rentals but they are farther from employment centers.

Where another issue arrises is I recently quit my job after becoming pregnant as they would not cover my maternity while overseas, my husband is employed however he works for a UK company and is British so would be unlikely to help us with the situation in the US.

Sounds like this could possibly be a Schedule C activity so keep self employment tax in mind.

Non-QM I can do things like bank statement, self-employed, ITIN, Jumbo, blah blah blah.

When evaluating markets for rental properties, there are a lot of factors to consider: population growth, employment rates, rent to price ratio/GRM/Cap Rate, rent trends, vacancy rates, etc. 

I have a pretty large emergency fund in place for those properties, but I wonder if that capital could be better employed elsewhere (potentially acquire another property).  

Memphis is home to major employers like FedEx and has a booming logistics and healthcare industry.

Employers who prey on such vulnerable persons are screwed, and rightfully so. 

Quote from @Anthony Sigala: Is there any way to get around the 1 year employment history requirement for FHA loans?

I think that strategy works best in higher areas or mid term rentals near major employers.