Corrie quads mum Gemma’s postnatal depression battle
NEW mum Gemma Winter has been struggling for months following the birth of her adorable quadruplets, and next week it’s clear that she’s suffering from postnatal depression on Coronation Street. Gemma, played by Dolly-Rose Campbell, has a terrible dream in which she hurts her baby Aled.
Rushing downstairs in a panic, she’s relieved to find her partner Chesney Brown feeding Aled, but is left deeply unnerved to think she might harm one of her babies.
When her health visitor later tells Gemma that daughter Cleo has lost weight and needs to increase her formula milk, Gemma is left even more shaken.
Gemma insists he’s fine when quizzed about her state of mind, but is left fighting back tears.
Then there’s more turmoil on the cobbles when Gemma heads out to the yard to calm herself down – but as the door closes behind her, she realises she’s locked out.
A panic-stricken Gemma tries to break the door down and as she arrives with Mother’s Day balloons, her mum Bernie is shocked to find her daughter in such a distressed state.
Bernie forces the door and assures her the babies are all fine but Gemma dissolves into floods of tears, branding herself an unfit mother.
When Gemma admits she’s exhausted but too afraid to sleep, Bernie insists she’ll move in to lend a hand, but on the condition that Gemma sees a doctor. Gemma agrees but makes Bernie promise not to tell Chesney, who is put out to find that his future mother-in-law has moved in.
Gemma plays down her depression and assures Weatherfield GP Dr Susan Gaddas she’s just overly tired.
Bernie is frustrated by her daughter’s refusal to accept help, berating Gemma for failing to tell the doctor that she’s suffering from postnatal depression.
And Chesney wants to know what mother and daughter are rowing about.
Fans have been worried about Gemma, who gave birth to the quads – Aled, Bryn, Cleo and Carys – in October.
Postnatal depression can start at any point in the first year after giving birth and may develop suddenly or gradually.
Among the symptoms is speaking negatively all the time and claiming that they’re hopeless.
As well as postnatal depression, a number of other mental health conditions can also develop after giving birth, including postpartum psychosis which has combination of bipolar-like symptoms of feeling depressed one moment and very happy the next, delusions and hallucinations.