Ileana D’Cruz, the Goan beauty who became a mother recently, speaks up about her postpartum depression. She shares how she felt alienated and alone, even when surrounded by friends, family, and her loving partner. The 37-year-old sultry actress is a mom to a baby boy named Koa Phoenix Dolan, who was born in August 2023.
Incredibly Tough Time
Posting on Instagram, Ileana emphasised how new mothers battle this invisible enemy. She recalled the “incredibly tough” days and how she was unsure if she would ever “bounce back” completely. D’Cruz also compared herself to other mums and felt overwhelmed that he was not like them.
View this post on Instagram
In the post, she was seen in a picture with the caption, “I’m mostly in pjs and a messy unattractive mom bun to keep my hair away from my munchkin’s little grabby hands and so the thought of pouting for a selfie just doesn’t really cross my mind haha.” The “Barfi” actress revealed that she is sleep-deprived all the time and has no time to take care of herself.
Not One to Complain
However, Ileana D’Cruz is taking this motherhood challenge in her stride. “Definitely not trying to come across as complaining because this darling child has been the most beautiful thing to happen to me,” she wrote.
Postpartum depression is different for everyone. Even for Ileana, it is not the same each time. Sometimes, a short workout is all she needs to get back to her old self, while other times, it is incredibly tough. In her words, “A 30min workout and 5 min shower post that works wonders really. But sometimes I can’t manage that.”
The mental exhaustion is real and incomparable, and nothing to ignore. Many new mothers face this battle regularly, even with so many amazing things happening around them. “It’s been an emotionally overwhelming journey,” the “Rustom” star wrote.
Ileana D’Cruz Has a Loving Partner
In the time of pregnancy and delivery, it is crucial to have a loving family and partner who supports you. And Ileana feels lucky to have a partner who loves her unconditionally. Last year, on Instagram’s #AskMeAnything session, she revealed a photo of her partner Michael Dolan.
She posts their pictures often and praises him. “And on the days I forget to be kind to myself, this lovely man has been my rock. He’s held me when he feels me starting to crack. And wipes the tears away. And cracks goofy jokes to make me smile.” There were rumours that the couple got married last May, but she rubbished that news.
Ileana D’Cruz has acted in Hindi, Telugu, and Tamil film industries. Her upcoming projects are “Do Aur Do Pyaar” with Vidya Balan and “Tera Kya Hoga Lovely” with Randeep Hooda.
