Reese Witherspoon reflects back on lack of support during early motherhood

‘I tried to muscle through for five months with Ava, just not sleeping and I became delirious’ actor said

Reese Witherspoon has revealed that she had to “muscle through” the first couple of months as a new mother as she had “no support” in 1999.

In the latest episode of Dax Shepard’s podcast Armchair Expert, the 45-year-old actor shared the struggles she was facing when she gave birth to her daughter, Ava Elizabeth Phillippe, who is now 21 years old.

“I did not have a lot of support with my first baby and I learned really early like this is not going to work. I tried to muscle through for five months with Ava, just not sleeping and I became delirious,” the Big Little Lies star said.

“I was lucky enough to have money saved and I didn’t have to work but it’s just not a one-person job. I would even say it’s not a two-person job.”

Ryan Phillippe and Reese Witherspoon atThe Cinema Society & Zenith Watches screening in 2006 (Getty Images)

The Legally Blonde actor gave birth to Ava when she was 23 years old, just two months after she married her Cruel Intentions co-star, Ryan Phillippe.

The couple were married in 1999 before separating in 2006 – their divorce was finalised in 2009. They also share a son, Deacon Reese Phillippe, who is now 17 years old.

Witherspoon recently starred in HBO’s series Big Little Lies which ran from 2017 to 2019. The show’s first season received 16 Primetime Emmy Award nominations and won eight, including Outstanding Limited Series, a directing award, and acting awards.

Earlier this month, it was also reported that the actor’s production company Hello Sunshine – behind the successful adaptation of Big Little Lies – is to be sold for a reported $900m.