Interesting. Yesterday I was posting about how non-chalant the media has been in portraying Jessica Rowe's battle with PND as something she just sort of 'got over' without any substantive insight into just what exactly her experiences entailed. Thankfully, the picture becomes a bit candid in the Herald Sun today.
However, I am perplexed as to why Jessica Rowe suffering silently with PND is a 'stunning admission' or that this is her 'baby shame' according to the journalist. PND is definitely not uncommon and I can only applaud Jessica Rowe for sharing her experiences, not pretending to be a perfect mother merely because she is a recognisable face in the Australian media, and admitting that motherhood is life-altering. I can only imagine how much pressure Rowe felt having to talk about her pregnancy constantly when she was hosting Today, speaking about her IVF treatments and being a good mother.
On why she decided to share her story:
'I had to be true to myself and admit I'd suffered. At first I had planned to put it behind me. I'd recovered and wanted to move forward'.
On when she knew something was wrong:
'I was getting very anxious. I felt out of control. I worried about everything, like whether she'd get a cold - but beyond normal levels. I also had trouble breast-feeding. It also shocked me that I felt so ashamed of admitting it. Of not coping'.
How failed attempts at IVF contributed to her depression:
'I felt ashamed. How could I feel like this when I finally had this beautiful treasure? It's hard to fess up to'.
On when she felt she had recovered:
Rowe says she suffered for a month when Allegra was six weeks old before 'suddenly feeling like I was breathing fresh air again'.
Sources: http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,21985,22125703-5012974,00.html
Herald Sun, 24 July, p.15
Showing posts with label Jessica Rowe. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Jessica Rowe. Show all posts
23 July 2007
Jessica Rowe talks about postnatal depression
I was wondering what ever happened to former Today host Jessica Rowe. Since she was blatantly booted from Channel 9 following her maternity leave, there haven't been any photographs or mentions of her or her baby. Low and behold, she reveals in this week's issue of New Idea that she has been suffering from postnatal depression since the birth of her daughter, Allegra, in January. Now Rowe is back in the spotlight with a gig reading the news on Channel 7 and will be appearing in the next installment of Dancing with the Stars.
According the Sydney Morning Herald, Rowe says:
"I suffered postnatal depression, not for long, but I did have it. At first I didn't want to acknowledge it. I knew it wasn't right and that it was more then being sleep deprived. I pushed it away for a few days."
Upon visiting her obstetrician, Rowe says, "I remember talking to her and sobbing".
My only complaint is the New Idea headline shouting that Rowe 'beat' depression implying that somehow if she hadn't overcome PND she wouldn't have been as marketable or she would have been a less successful mother. I have yet to read the actual story but I wonder if Rowe talks about the dark times or if instead she glosses over it and just talks about how great it is to be back in action. I think women really need to hear that they aren't the only ones suffering in silence and that there is support out there if they need it.
12 May 2007
Mothers' unrealistic expectations too much
Apparently I'm an 'expert' now.....hahaha...this is from today's Herald Sun in honour of Mother's Day:
Mothers' unrealistic expectations too much
Susie O'Brien and Carla Danaher
A-LIST mothers are inspiring real mums to "have it all" and pursue kids and glamorous careers.
But experts warn they are putting mothers under pressure to live up to an unrealistic image of motherhood.
Prominent Melbourne mothers include Alannah Hill, Jane Hall, Jo Silvagni, Jo Hall, Kate Ceberano, Kimberley Davies, Jennifer Keyte and new expat Simone Warne.
These yummy mummies come hot on the heels of their Hollywood counterparts, such as Gwyneth Paltrow, Kate Winslet, Reese Witherspoon, Cate Blanchett, Angelina Jolie, Liv Tyler and Gwen Stefani, who pair career and kids with great success.
But University of Melbourne gender studies expert Meredith Nash said the glamour of the red carpet and women's magazines did not reflect the realities of pregnancy and motherhood.
Local celebrity mums, including footballer's wives, set a high standard for regular mums, she said.
"They all rock up to the Brownlow in their custom-made maternity gowns looking amazing," Ms Nash said.
TV identities such as the recently "boned" Jessica Rowe also gave a glamorous impression of pregnancy.
"When she became pregnant, she really didn't change at all. She didn't gain weight, she didn't look different," Ms Nash said.
"Motherhood for them is just about gushing about how wonderful it is."
Practical Parenting magazine reports that it's "hard not to feel cynical when yet another Hollywood star claims to be a 'working mum' ".
"The way has been paved for modern-day Hollywood working mothers to give birth, get their bodies back into shape in record time, pursue passionate relationships, attend A-list parties and travel the world saving babies -- all without having a flat hair day," author Nicky Elliott writes.
Melbourne psychologist Dr Janet Hall said the so-called halo effect inspired women to see celebrities as role models.
She agreed that comparisons could be costly.
"It's so unrealistic because most of these women have unlimited money and unlimited time because they can pay others to do things for them," Dr Hall said.
Melbourne plastic surgeon Dr Craig Rubinstein said women who wanted to have surgery to look like a celebrity were unrealistic.
http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,21985,21713683-2862,00.html?from=public_rss#
Mothers' unrealistic expectations too much
Susie O'Brien and Carla Danaher
A-LIST mothers are inspiring real mums to "have it all" and pursue kids and glamorous careers.
But experts warn they are putting mothers under pressure to live up to an unrealistic image of motherhood.
Prominent Melbourne mothers include Alannah Hill, Jane Hall, Jo Silvagni, Jo Hall, Kate Ceberano, Kimberley Davies, Jennifer Keyte and new expat Simone Warne.
These yummy mummies come hot on the heels of their Hollywood counterparts, such as Gwyneth Paltrow, Kate Winslet, Reese Witherspoon, Cate Blanchett, Angelina Jolie, Liv Tyler and Gwen Stefani, who pair career and kids with great success.
But University of Melbourne gender studies expert Meredith Nash said the glamour of the red carpet and women's magazines did not reflect the realities of pregnancy and motherhood.
Local celebrity mums, including footballer's wives, set a high standard for regular mums, she said.
"They all rock up to the Brownlow in their custom-made maternity gowns looking amazing," Ms Nash said.
TV identities such as the recently "boned" Jessica Rowe also gave a glamorous impression of pregnancy.
"When she became pregnant, she really didn't change at all. She didn't gain weight, she didn't look different," Ms Nash said.
"Motherhood for them is just about gushing about how wonderful it is."
Practical Parenting magazine reports that it's "hard not to feel cynical when yet another Hollywood star claims to be a 'working mum' ".
"The way has been paved for modern-day Hollywood working mothers to give birth, get their bodies back into shape in record time, pursue passionate relationships, attend A-list parties and travel the world saving babies -- all without having a flat hair day," author Nicky Elliott writes.
Melbourne psychologist Dr Janet Hall said the so-called halo effect inspired women to see celebrities as role models.
She agreed that comparisons could be costly.
"It's so unrealistic because most of these women have unlimited money and unlimited time because they can pay others to do things for them," Dr Hall said.
Melbourne plastic surgeon Dr Craig Rubinstein said women who wanted to have surgery to look like a celebrity were unrealistic.
http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,21985,21713683-2862,00.html?from=public_rss#
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