Leona Lewis has spoken candidly about her experiences with postpartum anxiety, as she opened up on Monday's Loose Women.
Speaking to the panellists, the former X Factor winner, 38, began: "When I had my baby I got a bit of postpartum anxiety, which is like this intense worry about the baby and the baby's health, and it kind of starts to take over everyday living."
Sharing how she coped with this anxiety, Leona explained: "So talking about it really helped because it made me feel way less alone.
"I know a lot of women go through it but at first you're kind feeling like the only one, like 'is this normal' but it is normal."
Opening up further, the singer continued: "For me talking to my friends and other mums who have gone through it was really really helpful. And also taking a second to breathe and ground myself.
"I spoke to a counsellor a couple of times who gave me advice and made me feel like this is something that it's not just me going through but that a lot of people are going through.
"[It lasts for] a few months. It was a hard few months. It got just a bit too much, but now all of my hormones have balanced out, I'm sleeping, the baby's sleeping."
Fans were quick to praise Leona for speaking so openly about her struggles, with one writing: "So important to talk about this. There are ridiculous expectations for new mums.
"As wonderful as it can be, it is also exhausting, sore and can be worrying. It's great to see young mums in the public eye talking about it. Please do talk to your midwife, health visitor or GP if you are struggling."
Another wrote: "This helps me to breathe a bit more! It's so helpful when people speak out, because it can be a lonely place and exhausting having all these confusing thoughts!"
And a third added: "I had this with my first second I noticed the difference and now starting to feel myself again slowly mine are 4,2 now more women need to talk about it more openly it helps x."
Leona welcomed her first baby, a daughter named Carmel, into the world with her husband, professional dancer Dennis Jaunch, last summer.
Announcing the news on Instagram, the couple, who wed in a romantic ceremony in a Tuscan Vineyard in 2019, shared a gorgeous photograph of the newborn writing alongside it: "And then there were three, our little Carmel Allegra arrived 22.7.22," with a pink heart emoji.
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