Weekend Argus (Saturday Edition)
Halle Bailey reveals struggle with severe postpartum depression
THE arrival of a baby is often a time of joy and celebration, however, thousands of women grapple with a starkly contrasting reality – postpartum depression (PPD).
This condition is far from rare, affecting a significant number of new mothers each year, yet it remains shrouded in silence, stigma and shame.
South Africa has a high prevalence of postpartum depression, with research indicating that 30 to 35 % of women are diagnosed with a major depressive disorder during the postpartum period.
Research in Khayelitsha reported a 34.7% prevalence, which is significantly higher than some international estimates, according to the South African Medical Journal.
Halle Bailey, famous for her roles
The Colour Purple and The Little Mermaid, has opened up about her struggles with postpartum depression following the birth of her son Halo in 2023, with her boyfriend DDG by her side.
In a Snapchat video that was picked up and shared by a fan on Instagram, on April 16, Bailey shared a personal revelation about her struggle with postpartum depression, pinpointing her changed relationship with her body as the main source of her distress.
Describing her experience, Bailey likened it to “swimming in this ocean … trying not to drown”, highlighting the intense challenges of new motherhood. Her honesty shed light on the mental health hurdles many new moms face.
“I have severe, severe postpartum depression. And I don't know if any new moms can relate, but it's to the point where it's really bad, and it's hard for me to be separated from my baby for more than 30 minutes at a time before I start to kind of freak out.”
Postpartum depression is a complex mood disorder that can affect women after childbirth. It manifests through a range of symptoms such as profound sadness, anxiety, fatigue, a sense of detachment from the baby, and, in severe cases, thoughts of harming oneself or the baby.
These symptoms can appear days or even months after delivery, challenging the stereotypical image of motherhood as a period of unbound happiness and fulfilment.
The struggle with PPD is exacerbated by the pervasive stigma surrounding mental health issues in the context of motherhood.
Society often expects new mothers to seamlessly embrace their new role, basking in the glow of maternity.
This unrealistic expectation creates
an environment where women find it daunting to express feelings of despair or inadequacy, fearing judgement or being labelled as bad mothers.
Although Bailey had been hitting the gym, she confessed: “The only thing that's been hard for me is feeling normal in my own body. I feel like a completely different person when I look in the mirror. I just feel like I'm
in a whole new body and I don't know who I am.”
Giving birth is not only a major responsibility but it also comes with a range of physical changes. One of the most noticeable changes after pregnancy is the weight loss associated with giving birth.
She admitted she wasn't fully aware of the mental health issues new moms may face.
Bailey said coming to terms with her postpartum depression and discussing it in public had been hard.
“Before I had a child, I would hear people talk about postpartum, it would kind of just go in one ear and out the other. I didn't realise how serious a thing it actually was.
“Now going through it, it almost feels like you're swimming in this ocean that's like the biggest waves you've ever felt and you're trying not to drown. And you're trying to come up for air.”
The silence surrounding postpartum depression is deafening. Many women suffer in isolation, burdened by the shame attached to admitting they are not experiencing a blissful maternal bond. This reluctance to seek help further entrenches the illness, making recovery more challenging.