Over a month after giving birth to her first baby, comedic actress gets real about her serious struggle with postpartum depression. Through a series of posts on Instagram, she shared how she is adjusting to new motherhood while “slowly recovering” from the sudden changes that come with it.
The 38-year-old actress revealed that she would have crying fits daily and posing photos on social media helped her cope.
“Sa kakaiyak ko halos araw-araw, naghubad and posing na lang ako. Natutulala sa shock na I have a child,” she wrote, recounting how she would experience something resembling “war shock” when she would go out in public. “Part ng postpartum ko, di ko ma-explain, I can’t stand to be out, parang I wanna scream ‘tapos nabibingi ako, gusto ko umuwi agad sa bahay.”
“…slowly regaining all my hormones and confidence para sa anak ko, I want her to see me ok, so I can take care of her.”
However, she also reassured her supporters that she’s gradually getting over it.
“Pero slowly fighting it over,” she added.
Assuming the role of mom from being pregnant for 9 months is something she has to adjust to.
“Nasanay ako na buntis, still adjusting. ‘Tapos ngayon, I’m alone, back to myself again, slowly regaining all my hormones and confidence para sa anak ko, I want her to see me ok, so I can take care of her,” shared Rufa Mae.
Maintaining her sense of humor
Through it all, she hasn’t lost her sense of humor. In another post, she joked about how her weight loss–she lost 40 pounds in a little over a month—has helped her forget about the blues and get summer ready.
“Wow amazing, pag ganito ang lagay e di forget na ang emote at postpartum, mag-ready na ako sa beach this summer 2017!” she wrote in one post, adding how she still has linea nigra on her tummy but the rest of her body lightened after giving birth.
Next page: Learn more about Rufa Mae’s feeling about motherhood and the difference between postpartum blues and PPD
“Sarap maging ina, last summer I prayed so hard to have a child…”
In another post, the proud hands-on mom summed it all up by sharing how grateful she is that she was blessed with her husband and baby girl Alexandria Athena. Recounting how she prayed for all the she has now only a year ago.
“Kung alam mo lang, ang tagal ko nangarap magka-anak at asawa, never ko naisip na kaya ko pala,” she wrote. “Thank you po Panginoon for hearing my prayers, for giving me a healthy and kind baby girl, di po siya iyakin, comedienne din siya like me, gusto niya lagi sabihin, ‘hello world! magandang umaga, todo na to Mama, go go go friends, yes I love you all!’
Continuing, she wrote, “Sarap maging ina, last summer I prayed so hard to have a child, now I have a daughter, she is alive and [kicking], ako naman, slowly recovering! Kailangan pa ako ng baby ko kaya eto, hands on to my little princess!”
Postpartum blues vs. Postpartum depression
MayoClinic states that postpartum blues manifests through sudden mood swings, crying fits, and difficulty sleeping. Though it can last for up to two weeks after giving birth, there is a more long-term and severe condition known as postpartum depression (PPD).
PPD is caused by physical and emotional factors such as: doubting one’s parenting ability, altered body image, inadequate breast milk (which Rufa Mae revealed she suffered from). New moms can often feel they’ve lost their sense of identity, independence, or control over their own life.
An imbalance of hormones can also cause new moms to feel overwhelmed by “little things”, especially when they’re exhausted, anxious, and sleep deprived.
To cope with PPD, new moms are advised to seek help, reconnect with friends, make healthy lifestyle choices, have more me-time, and avoid from pressuring themselves to “instantly” feel better. If none of these work, further medical attention may be required. Learn more here.
READ: Struggling breastfeeding mom Rufa Mae Quinto thanks Mariel Padilla for sharing her breast milk
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