Ex-Nigerian beauty queen, Adaeze Yobo, opens up on battle with postpartum depression

Former Nigerian beauty queen, Adaeze Yobo, has opened up on her battle with postpartum depression and baby blues.

The mom of three who is married former Super Eagles captain, Joseph Yobo, shared her experience on Instagram hoping to reach out and encourage new mums who might be (knowingly/unknowingly) going through the same.

Postpartum depression (PPD) is a complex mix of physical, emotional, and behavioural changes that happen in a woman after giving birth.

Her statement reads:

"I had what I like to call "The worst kind of Postpartum depression" after my first child, it lasted for more than a year. I thought I'll never fully recover, be happy or get my self back again, I was in a very dark place at a point in my life that was supposed to be the happiest.

"Some days I'll go into the restroom and cry out, once I'm done ill feel relieved, wipe my face and continue what I was doing like nothing happened. There was no particular reason for the cry, it just comes like a rushing wave, fills up my chest and I'll run to let it out.

"I didn't know there was a name to what I was going through because back then in Nigeria, the idea of PPD/PND was almost Non-existent. I never told anyone for the fear of being judged or people close to me making assumptions about my sanity. Probably why my PPD lasted that long.

"I can't imagine how I would have survived that now. Going through all that transformation & mental break down in the middle of a Global pandemic?

"If you're a partner/spouse to a new mom or you're a dad to be, pls educate yourself about; Baby blues, Postpartum depression & Postpartum psychosis.

"There's so much information online to guide you in making life easier for both you, baby & mom.

"Remember not to compare one mom to another mom. Every woman is diff, every pregnancy is diff & every mom is different.

"I also experienced Baby blues for a week with my last child, Lexine. But because of my experience with PPD & so much research I had done, I knew what I was expecting, when I was expecting it and what to do. I opened up to my family around me and we were able to manage it when it came."

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... I had what i like to call "The worst kind of Postpartum depression" after my first child, it lasted for more than a year. I thought I'll never fully recover, be happy or get my self back again, i was in a very dark place at a point in my life that was supposed to be the happiest. Some days I'll go into the restroom and cry out, once I'm done ill feel relieved, wipe my face and continue what I was doing like nothing happened. There was no particular reason for the cry, it just comes like a rushing wave, fills up my chest and I'll run to let it out. I didn't know there was a name to what I was going through because back then in Nigeria, the idea of PPD/PND was almost Non-existent. I never told anyone for the fear of being judged or people close to me making assumptions about my sanity. Probably why my PPD lasted that long. I can't imagine how i would have survived that now. ??????????? Going through all that transformation & mental break down in the middle of a Global pandemic? ???? #swipe >>> ? ? ? If you're a partner / spouse to a new mom or you're a dad to be, pls educate yourself about; Baby blues Postpartum depression & Postpartum psychosis. There's so much information online to guide you in making life easier for both you, baby & mom. Remember not to compare one mom to another mom. Every woman is diff, every pregnancy is diff & every mom is different. P.S ~ i also experienced Baby blues for a week with my last child, Lexine. But because of my experience with PPD & so much research i had done, i knew what i was expecting, when i was expecting it and what to do. i opened up to my family around me and we were able to manage it when it came. Tag any new mom you know & reach out to the ones that are not on social media and let them know it'll get easier. #postpartum #postpartumdepressionandCoronavirus #postpartumdepression #babyblues #newmom #motherhood #lockdown

A post shared by Chief Adaeze yobo (@adaezeyobo) on Apr 25, 2020 at 4:01am PDT