TV host Toni Gonzaga opened up for the first time about dealing with postpartum depression following the birth of her first son, Seve, last year.
Gonzaga, the wife of director Paul Soriano, described how she would cry by herself and give in to her emotions more loosely since welcoming Seve in September.
Speaking to reporters as she began work on the upcoming teen edition of “The Voice of the Philippines” on Friday, Gonzaga shared that the first few months as a new mom has been difficult as she was full of self-pity.
“Dadaan ka talaga sa self-pity kasi siyempre siyam na buwan may dala dala kang human sa katawan mo tapos bigla na lang nawala. Feeling mo part of you, parang may kulang, may wala,” she said.
(You’ll really go through self-pity because you’ve had this human inside you for nine months and then all of a sudden, it’s not there anymore. You’ll feel like a part of you is missing.)
There were also times when she would find herself randomly crying.
“Lagi akong naiiyak kapag nasa CR ako,” she shared. “Kasi halimbawa tapos na ako mag-breastfeed, siyempre ang sakit na ng chest ko, ang sakit na ng lahat, so pupunta ako sa CR, magbibihis ako.”
(I always cry when I’m inside the bathroom. For example, I just finished breastfeeding [Seve], of course my chest hurts, then everything starts hurting, so I’ll just go to the bathroom to change my clothes.)
“Tapos kapag iiyak si Seve, maririnig mo. Kasi nung first few months niya, kapag naghihiwalay kami, nararamdaman niya. Kapag umiiyak siya, iiyak din ako. Nag-iiyakan kami. Sinasabi ko, ‘Anak, ginagawa mo akong dramatic actress,’ ” she quipped.
(Then when Seve crues, you’ll hear it. During his first months, when we’re not together, he feels it. When he cries, I cry. We’re both crying. I told him, ‘Son, you’re making me a dramatic actress.)
Gonzaga, however, made it clear that she has overcome her postpartum depression.
Her advice in dealing with it? Talk it out.
“Umiiyak lang ako kapag mag-isa ako pero ito iyong advice ko sa mga nanay: Pagkatapos niyo manganak, huwag kayo mapag-isa. Kausapin ninyo iyong mga kasama niyo sa bahay — nanay niyo, kapatid niyo, asawa niyo,” she said.
(I only cry when I’m by myself but here’s my advice for fellow new moms: After you give birth, don’t spend too much time alone. Talk to the people in your home — you mom, your siblings, your husband.)
This story first appeared on ABS-CBN News and republished with permission. English translation added.
Reader Interactions