Former Miss South Africa Natasha Joubert has shared a look at her raw and real postpartum mental health struggles.
The brunette beauty queen gave birth to a baby girl with her husband, Enrico Vermaak, last month.
Natasha has previously opened up about suffering from anxiety, particularly during her stint in pageantry.
NATASHA JOUBERT OPENS UP ABOUT MENTAL HEALTH AS A NEW MOM
In a candid Instagram post, Natasha Joubert shared her mental health struggles as a new mother.
The 28-year-old revealed how her postpartum hormones had “completely caught me off guard”.
Like many mothers, Natasha first experienced adrenaline after giving birth to her baby. That came crashing down after a few days.
She shared: “I cried for two days NON-STOP….Enrico was so concerned. And then you get a few good days… even great days… and then the days where you sit there wondering, how did we ever think we were ready to be parents?”
Natasha Joubert revealed that she had a history of depression and was actively engaging with her psychologist amid her fears.
She continued: “ Be kind, gentle to pregnant women, to mothers postpartum- it’s the most vulnerable, fragile and sacred time.
“I’m sharing this to help normalise postpartum. Speaking to a few people close to me made me realise, we’re all going through it, just not always out loud. What you see on my feed is real… but it’s not the full reality.
“We’re still figuring it out”
BABY BLUES VS POSTPARTUM DEPRESSION, ANXIETY AND PSYCHOSIS
The term “baby blues” describes mood swings related to hormonal changes after giving birth to a baby. It occurs during the first two weeks after delivery, and can affect up to 80% of women. Symptoms include sleeplessness, excessive crying and bouts of sadness.
Baby blues differs from postpartum depression and anxiety, a mental health condition with severe symptoms that last much longer and affect your daily life. The condition is treatable with medication and counselling.
Images via Instagram
Postpartum psychosis is an extreme form of PPD that is accompanied by severe symptoms like hallucinations, obsessive thoughts, paranoia and attempts to harm yourself or your baby. This condition is potentially life-threatening and requires immediate intervention.