Adele opens up about her battle with post-natal depression

She remained famously private about motherhood for quite some time, but when she did start revealing details about life as a new parent singer Adele was praised by other mums for her refreshing honesty. And now she’s opened up about another parenting experience, speaking candidly about her struggle with the post-natal depression she suffered after the birth of her son Angelo, four.

Talking to Vanity Fair about the condition, the 28-year-old singer revealed that it has caused her to feel concerned about having more children with her partner Simon Konecki.

“I’m too scared,” she told the publication when asked if she’d like to have another baby. “I had really bad postpartum depression after I had my son and it frightened me.”

Describing the symptoms she experienced, Adele explained that postpartum depression can come in many different guises.

“My knowledge of postpartum… or post-natal, as we call it in England is that you don’t want to be with your child; you’re worried you might hurt your child; you’re worried you weren’t doing a good job.”

“But I was obsessed with my child. I felt very inadequate; I felt like I’d made the worst decision of my life. It can come in many different forms.”

At the time, Adele says she didn’t really talk to anyone about what she was going through and it was only after her boyfriend pushed her to chat to her friends about how she was feeling that she felt able to start opening up.

“One day I said to a friend, “I f***in’ hate this,” and she just burst into tears and said, “I f***in’ hate this, too.”

It was a turning point for the singer in facing up to her anxiety and eventually she found her own way of dealing with her condition – ensuring she took some time for herself.

“Eventually I just said, I’m going to give myself an afternoon a week, just to do whatever the f**k I want without my baby,” she continued before explaining that she feels taking time for yourself makes you a better parent.

Adele isn’t alone in her batter with post-natal depression. According to recent statistics at least one in ten mums will suffer from the condition after giving birth, but many mums feel embarrassed or scared to speak up about how they are feeling. Others think that talking about what they are going through will make them somehow seem inadequate as a mother.

Commenting on Adele’s speaking out about her experience of post-natal depression, Sarah McMullen, NCT (National Childbirth Trust) Head of Knowledge, said:

“Adele is incredibly brave for speaking out about her battle with postnatal depression. Her honesty will help break the stigma around postnatal depression and stop women in the same situation feeling so alone.”

“She offers some great advice about mums talking to other mums, friends and family about their feelings. Speaking out can be such a hard thing to do but it’s often the first step on the road to recovery.

“Getting help early can make all the difference. If you feel something is wrong don’t suffer in silence, speak to your midwife, health visitor or GP.”

Hopefully Adele speaking so candidly about her own experiences of the condition will help encourage others to seek the help they need to overcome their struggles.

Just one more reason to add to the why we heart Adele list.

Have you ever suffered from post-natal depression? Let us know your experiences @YahooStyleUK

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