Chrissy Teigen discusses postnatal depression: ‘Sometimes it takes time to kick in’

Chrissy Teigen has discussed the postnatal depression that she experienced following the birth of her first child Luna, revealing a fact about the condition that many may not be aware of.

It’s been just over three months since Teigen gave birth to her son Miles, younger brother to two-year-old Luna.

Despite the fact that some people may assume that postnatal depression develops straight after childbirth, Teigen began experiencing the condition three months after the birth of Luna in 2016.

Having reached the same point in time following the birth of Miles, the Lip Sync Battle host has spoken about whether she thinks she may soon have to face the same mental health condition again.

“That’s what I’m still wondering now, honestly,” Teigen told Yahoo Lifestyle.

“I’m three months out with Miles. And when I hit that point with Luna, it was at this time. Around three months.”

While postnatal depression has become more widely discussed in recent times, Teigen doesn’t think everyone realises that it can take a significant amount of time to develop.

“I think what people don’t know is that sometimes it takes time to kick in,” she said. “You just don’t know what’s gonna happen.”

Teigen explained that her previous experience with the condition has made her feel more prepared should it recur.

“I don’t know what next week is gonna be like. You take it day by day,” she said.

“I feel like at least now if it does happen, I’ll know it upon the first time I feel it. Rather than wondering for so long why I was feeling like that.”

Kate Pinney, midwife for baby charity Tommy's, explains to The Independent how it can often be difficult for mothers to realise that they're going through postnatal depression.

"Postnatal depression can occur anytime in the first year after having a baby, it may present in the first few weeks or several months after the birth," Ms Pinney says.

"It is not always obvious, and often at first, many mothers put how they are feeling down to tiredness and adjusting to parenthood, therefore sometimes not realising that they could be developing postnatal depression.

Postnatal depression symptoms can last for weeks or months following childbirth, with symptoms including feelings of sadness, lack of energy, a drop in concentration levels and a poor appetite.

"It is really important, for any parent experiencing changes in their mood, to seek support and talk to someone, whether that be their GP, midwife or health visitor," Ms Pinney advises.

The National Institute of Mental Health states that postnatal depression typically occurs between a week and a month after birth.

However, as outlined by Teigen, it can sometimes take longer to develop.

Earlier this month, singer Adele professed her support for her friend Laura Dockrill after Dockrill wrote a blog detailing her diagnosis with postpartum psychosis.

Postpartum psychosis is a rare mental health condition that can lead to symptoms such as confusion, delusions and hallucinations.