Anna Williamson detailed her struggles with motherhood during the UK’s lockdown in March, shortly after she gave birth to her daughter Eleanora, now eleven months.
The Celebs Go Dating star, 39, welcomed her second child with husband Alex Di Pasquale in December, and said because of Government guidelines her little one wasn’t able to see anyone outside the family until September.
Speaking to The Sun on Monday, she said of her own mental health struggles at the time: ‘I went into lockdown with a 12-week-old and suddenly felt trapped and claustrophobic.
Candid: Celebs Go Dating’s Anna Williamson said on Monday she ‘felt trapped’ when she was forced to stay indoors during the UK’s first lockdown shortly after daughter Eleanora’s birth
‘Midwives couldn’t come, nor could health visitors. Eleanora didn’t see anybody until September.
‘It was very difficult at the beginning and incredibly isolating — as it was for many other families. I didn’t know if I would cope.’
The host has been candid about her battle with postnatal depression in the past, after enduring a 48-hour labour, losing two litres of blood in the process, when she gave birth to son Vincenzo, three.
She told the publication that she was ‘terrified’ she would struggle with postnatal depression again following Eleanora’s birth, but her calm pregnancy and birth meant she was able to ease into second-time motherhood a lot more easily.
Family: Anna welcomed her second child with husband Alex Di Pasquale in December, and said because of lockdown her little one couldn’t see anyone outside the family until September
In June, Anna said Eleanora’s birth helped ease her previous struggles with postnatal depression, and claimed it felt ‘like the plug socket is in now with motherhood’ since welcoming her daughter via a planned caesarean.
The presenter reflected on how her ‘traumatic’ first birth led her to question whether her mental health could ‘stand up to the test’ of being a mum-of-two.
After struggling to bond with her baby son following the tough childbirth, Anna opted for a ‘lovely and calm’ elected c-section, which she described as ‘so far removed from the life or death trauma of the first’.
The TV star said in this week’s Closer: ‘It feels like the plug socket has gone in now with motherhood – like it connects now. The whole experience this time around was wonderful. Having two of them now really makes me feel complete as a mother.
Struggle: Speaking about her own mental health at the time, Anna said: ‘I went into lockdown with a 12-week-old and suddenly felt trapped and claustrophobic’
‘It’s really down to the love that I have for Enzo that made me even consider having another baby. When I found out I was pregnant again, I was really worried, but this has been hugely healing for me.’
Postnatal depression is a form of the mental-health condition that affects more than one in 10 women in the UK and US within a year of giving birth.
Many parents feel down, teary and anxious within the first two weeks of having a child, which is often called the ‘baby blues’.
Anna revealed her husband experienced delayed postnatal depression the first time round, but has since ‘enjoyed seeing her enjoy parenthood’.
Honest: Anna said of her time in lockdown, ‘It was very difficult at the beginning and incredibly isolating — as it was for many other families. I didn’t know if I would cope’
Candid: The TV star has been open about her battle with postnatal depression in the past, after enduring a 48-hour labour, losing two litres of blood in the process (pictured last year)
The media personality, who has been diagnosed with generalised anxiety and takes a low dose of medication, confessed she had a ‘wobble’ when the UK first entered lockdown, but has combatted the disorder with breathing techniques and exercising outside.
Over the summer, the former Girl Force singer was ‘solo parenting and juggling her work’ as her fitness enthusiast husband studied his final exams to become a chartered surveyor.
‘Once the kids are in bed at 7, my husband and I high-five, do a merry jig and sink the first gin of the day’, she told the publication.
For help and support please contact Mind on 0300 123 3393 (9am to 6pm, Monday to Friday) or email [email protected]
‘It healed me’: In June, Anna said Eleanora’s birth helped ease her previous struggles with postnatal depression after her ‘traumatic’ experience giving birth to Vincenzo