Chrissy Teigen praised for opening up about post-pregnancy weight gain and postpartum depression

‘Just coming to terms with my new normal’

(Getty Images)

Model and television presenter Chrissy Teigen has been commended for speaking openly about post-pregnancy weight gain and postpartum depression.

In May 2018, Teigen gave birth to Miles Theodore Stephens, her second child with husband John Legend.

Since giving birth, the 33-year-old has noticed that she's gained more weight than she did following the birth of the couple's first child, Luna Simone Stephens, in April 2016.

Over the weekend, the model took to Twitter to explain that her weight loss following the birth of Luna had been linked to postpartum depression.

"'How do you eat like this??' - basically I am 20 pounds heavier than I was before Miles," Teigen wrote.

"He's 10 months old, I never lost the last bit because I just love food too much."

Teigen continued, stating that she's still adjusting to the new shape of her body.

"Just coming to terms with my new normal, when I had this certain number for so long," the Lip Sync Battle said, in apparent reference to her weight.

In a second tweet, Teigen said that the "thinnest [she'd] ever been" had been after the birth of Luna while she was suffering from postpartum depression.

"I'LL TAKE THESE POUNDS AND THIS FEELING!" she added.

Symptoms of postpartum depression can include lack of energy, a persistent feeling of sadness and difficulty bonding with your baby, the NHS explains.

The condition affects more than one in 10 women within a year of childbirth.

Several of Teigen's Twitter followers have praised her for opening up about her post-pregnancy weight gain.

"Postpartum is a beast, and while I was the thinnest ever, I was the unhappiest ever. You're awesome for embracing the healthier you!" one person wrote.

"It's refreshing to see someone say this. Thank you," another added.

Dr Jenn Conti, an obstetrician and gynaecologist, said that having seen "so many women" suffering from postpartum depression, Teigen's "platform to normalise is huge".

In August 2018, Teigen revealed that she'd started experiencing postnatal depression three months after giving birth to Luna.

“I think what people don’t know is that sometimes it takes time to kick in,” she said.

“You just don’t know what’s gonna happen.”

You can contact pre and postnatal mental illness support charity Pandas Foundation by calling 0843 28 98 401. The helpline is open everyday from 9am until 8pm.