Jenny Mollen Talked About Prenatal Depression & Compared Having Her First Child To "Coming Off Cocaine"
Postpartum depression isn't the only mental health issue new and expecting moms can experience when bringing a new life into the world. Some parents also experience prenatal depression — and actress Jenny Mollen is speaking out about her experience.
Mollen is expecting her second child with her husband, American Pie star Jason Biggs. And based on a recent Instagram story she shared, it sounds like her second pregnancy hasn't been an easy one.
The actress says in her Instagram story that she "could already be in a depression," even though her child hasn't been born yet. She called her feelings "prepartum" depression in a separate Instagram post. "Prepartum Depression... it's what often happens to expectant moms who are awake in the world. (More on my insta story)," she captioned the selfie.
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"I'm planning on eating my placenta, but I'm also anticipating a major emotional dive," Mollen said in the Instagram story Thursday, according to People. "I think that it's chemical. I think people don't talk about it enough."
The actress also said in the Instagram story that "having a baby is the scariest fucking thing that could happen to a woman." She also said that after giving birth to her first child, Sid, "it felt like I was coming off of cocaine."
"It was just like the craziest comedown of my life," she said.
Mollen later posted a new Instagram story on Friday saying she is "totally fine" after concerned loved ones reached out about her earlier post. "This is normal — that's what I'm trying to say," Mollen said in the second story. "It's not weird... I would be more freaked out if I weren't freaking out... I think if you're not slightly depressed, you're not really alive."
If you are experiencing depression and need support, please call the National Depressive/Manic-Depressive Association Hotline at 1-800-826-3632 or the Crisis Call Center’s 24-hour hotline at 1-775-784-8090.
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