Libby Trickett opens up about her lowest point as new mum

If you follow sport, particularly the Olympics, then you’d probably be familiar with Aussie swimmer Libby Trickett.

But of all the challenges she’s faced in her life, motherhood has been one of the biggest.

Speaking to MamaMia, the former Olympian opened up about her lowest point as a new mum – revealing how she struggled with post-natal depression after the birth of her daughter back in 2015.

She revealed that after not sleeping for more than 45 minutes at a time, she snapped.

“I ended up yelling at her, literally at the top of my lungs for about 15 minutes straight. And that was when I really realised I needed to get help,” Trickett told MamaMia.

“So, that took shape in two ways. [Firstly], I had to go and see my GP to get a mental health plan in place, see a psychologist and [secondly] put things into place that allowed me to get space for myself to nourish myself as an individual.”

https://www.instagram.com/p/BRe_yO5lmbf/?taken-by=libby_trickett&hl=en

Post-natal depression is something that affects many new mums, and if you or a loved one have ever experienced it, then you’ll know just how traumatic it can be.

Trickett revealed she developed an anger and a temper she “never knew existed” within her.

“I was so resentful of the fact that she wasn’t letting me sleep and I had no space from her because we were co-sleeping all night and then she was tired because she was waking every 45 minutes, too … it felt like we weren’t connecting the way I really wanted to,” she revealed

“And I was yelling at her all the time.”

Trickett’s advice to new mums, which you might find useful to pass on to your children or grandchildren, is to exercise – even if it’s just some quick weights or a morning walk or swim.

Being a mum is sure tough! 

Tell us, have you or a loved one struggled with post-natal depression? How did you/your loved one get through it?