Kate Lawler has bravely reflected on her battle with post-natal depression, 15 months after the birth of her baby daughter Noa.
The former Big Brother star, 42, welcomed her first child with fiancé Martin 'Boj' Bojtos in February last year, but was at her 'lowest point ever' as she struggled with motherhood.
The reality star candidly spoke about her experience with post-natal depression – which causes a person to feel anxious about a wide range of situations and issues - on her Instagram account today (May 28).
Alongside a lengthy caption, Kate shared both recent and throwback pictures with 15-month-old Noa.
The first showed Kate holding her tiny baby daughter last year, while the second was taken recently with Noa in the garden.
In the caption, she penned: “Same day, same month, one year apart. The difference in both of us is remarkable. In the photo on the left, I was desperately trying to be happy and get on with my life as a new Mum but inside I was at my lowest point ever.
“I was going through post-natal depression, had recently been diagnosed with generalised anxiety disorder and felt like I was failing on so many levels as Mum to Noa and partner to Boj.
“It was during this weekend away (Boj surprised me with a weekend staycation at a lovely Airbnb in Henley-On-Thames with friends for my 41st birthday) that I decided to stop breastfeeding as it was becoming too stressful with Noa not wanting to feed from me and my milk supply dwindling.
"It was a decision I can now look back and say was the best thing for my mental health and for Noa, despite cutting so deep at the time because of how much I wanted it to work.”
Thankfully, Kate, who is set to wed partner Martin in two weeks, is in a much better headspace.
“It’s days like yesterday I remind myself just how lucky we all are,” the star continued.
“We lived in a flat with no garden for so many years and I remember having conversations with Boj when we’d just moved into this house about how we couldn’t wait for sunny days in the garden with a paddling pool and the dogs, watching our little girl splash about in the water and yesterday was her first proper time in a paddling pool and she loved it.
“The wedding is now just two weeks away! I still can’t believe it’s finally happening after one pandemic, two years and three different dates and that Tayto is now part of the whole thing. We originally decided to try for a baby on our honeymoon but here we all are… Two weeks today babe! @thenotoriousboj, I hope the sun shines for our special day as well.”
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Kate’s post soon became inundated with message of support as fans praised the brave star for speaking out.
Actress Gemma Atkinson also commented: “Beautiful family.”
Jake Quickenden added: “Don’t ever be ashamed to struggle, we all go through it mate! You’re doing amazing! Not sure why you’re marrying @thenotoriousboj though.”
It comes after Kate recently opened up on her relationship with fiancé Martin following her decision to quit her job at Virgin Radio.
Speaking on her White Wine Question Time podcast, Kate shared: "Since we became parents our relationship has changed so much. I want to say for the better, but sadly we both know, and we're acutely aware of this, that we haven't prioritised our relationship at all and we know that we need to take steps to improve it.
"We're getting married in two months and we've actually had like the hardest year as a couple so far.
"But we know it's because we became parents and your life changes monumentally when you become parents."
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