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Serena Williams has candidly discussed her battle with post-natal depression and having a second baby.

The 36-year-old, professional tennis player, revealed she struggled with her mood after she gave birth to her daughter Olympia.

Speaking to Harper’s Bazaar, she detailed how a difficult labour led to her lows, such as when she cried her eyes out because she couldn’t find the little one’s bottle.

She shared, ‘Honestly, sometimes I think I still have to deal with it. I think people have to talk about it more because it’s almost like the fourth trimester, it’s part of the pregnancy.

‘I remember one day, I couldn’t find Olympia’s bottle and I got so upset I started crying … because I wanted to be perfect for her.’

Serena has previoulsy shared how she almost died delivering Olympia as she had to undergo an emergency cesarean section but experienced life-threatening complications, which resulted in surgery to prevent blood clots travelling to her lungs. (read more here)

She also admitted she wants another baby ASAP!

“If I wasn’t playing tennis, I’d be pregnant right now – sorry, I’m one of those women,” she said.

Serena admits she has already told her husband, Reddit founder Alexis Ohanian, that she’s hoping for another baby girl. “Olympia needs a little sister, and then we can have a boy. I’ve only been around girls my whole life.”

We recently shared that Alyssa Milano has opened up about miscarriage and the postpartum anxiety that closely followed. Read her story here.

Postnatal depression is a common problem, affecting more than one in every 10 women within a year of giving birth.

Signs can include…
Panic attacks,
persistent, generalised worry,
development of obsessive or compulsive behaviours,
abrupt mood swings,
feeling constantly tired,
withdrawing from friends,
difficulty focusing,
feeling constantly sad or crying for no reason
having thoughts of death or suicide.

If you or someone you love are suffering with post natal depression or anxiety please reach out and seek help.

PANDA National Helpline Mon to Fri, 10am – 5pm AEDT on 1300 726 306 OR Lifeline 13 11 14.

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  • I know of a Mum who went to counselling during her 2nd pregnancy after suffering depression both before and after the birth of her first child – a baby boy.

    Reply

  • I think it’s really helpful that well known women are so open about struggling.

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  • Well done to being open, honest and raw about what can happen after pregnancy. We are all human and have highs and lows. Thanks for shedding light on a real mental health issue that affects many women.

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  • It’s very common, but still difficult to talk about.

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  • Good on her for being honest. It will help lots of other mothers.

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  • I wish her and her family all the very best. Love watching her back on the tennis court too.

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  • Good on her for getting the conversation out there, there needs to be more public figures talking about real issues.

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  • Beautiful sharing by Serena. I think there are many women out there who can relate to her story.

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  • Such a strong and powerful woman and even more so for sharing her story and her struggle.


    • The photos are beautiful and the cover shots are full of energy and woman power!

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  • It sounds like such a terrible condition. One that’s hard to admit to because you want to be a great parent but all you feel is failure

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  • So good of her to open up about the difficulties she faced. It’s nothing to be ashamed of.
    And I wish her that her second baby will be a girl as she wants. :-)

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  • It’s so great when celebrities share their real mum problems with their fans.


    • Yes it is, it’s common and nothing to be ashamed of.

    Reply

  • Go Serena! You’re a champion and what a beautiful baby girl.

    Reply

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