Actress Ileana D’Cruz has opened up about dealing with postpartum depression following the birth of her baby boy in August last year, recalling some of the “incredibly tough” days when she could not “bounce back” like other mothers.
Sharing a selfie on Instagram on Saturday, the 37-year-old actress wrote that she does not find the time for herself as she is a full-time mother now. “I’m mostly in pjs and a messy unattractive mom bun to keep my hair away from my munchkin’s little grabby hands and so the thought of pouting for a selfie just doesn’t really cross my mind haha,” she wrote.
Mentioning that she has been sleep deprived for a long time now, Ileana said, “Definitely not trying to come across as complaining because this darling child has been the most beautiful thing to happen to me.”
About postpartum depression, the Rustom actress wrote that it is “real” and “an incredibly alienating feeling”. She said that she is trying to find time for herself in the midst of “incredibly tough days”. “A 30min workout and 5 min shower post that works wonders really. But sometimes I can’t manage that,” she said.
The actress said that she loves her new life despite the mental exhaustion she faces on a regular basis. “There’s so many amazing things that have happened to me and it’s been an emotionally overwhelming journey,” Ileana wrote.
“I just haven’t been one of those moms who’ve ‘bounced back’ immediately,” Ileana said, adding that she is trying to be kinder to herself and her body and “getting to a stronger healthy me at my own pace”.
Ileana signed off by hinting at her return to acting.
On August 5 last year, Ileana had announced on Instagram that she welcomed a baby boy, Koa Phoenix Dolan. “No words could explain how happy we are to welcome our darling boy to the world. Hearts beyond full,” she captioned her post.
The actress, who welcomed her baby as a single mother, had revealed that she is not single-parenting and shared a picture of her partner during an #AskMeAnything session on Instagram last year.
Ileana had also shared a post for her partner last year. “And on the days I forget to be kind to myself, this lovely man has been my rock. He’s held me when he feels me starting to crack. And wipes the tears away. And cracks goofy jokes to make me smile. Or just offers a hug when he knows that’s exactly what I need at that moment. And everything doesn’t seem so hard anymore.”
Ileana is best-known for her roles in films such as Barfi!, Phata Poster Nikla Hero and Happy Ending. The actress has the film Unfair And Lovely, starring Randeep Hooda, in her lineup.
