“Beautiful family photo. But also a struggle.”

Zoe Marshall opens up about post-natal depression

Content Editor / September 13 2018

WAG Zoe Marshall has revealed that she is finally starting to feel better after months of struggling with “extreme post-natal depletion.”

Zoe and her husband, rugby league player, Benji Marshall, have a baby boy, Benjamin.

In a candid post on Instagram on RU OK day, the 33-year-old described the last few months as “brutal.”

“I tried to keep it together. I tried to smile through it all,” she said. “I had only time for my baby and work. Everything else fell away. Not talking to anyone about it.”

BenjamIn Fox Marshall stop growing up so fast. Are you wearing shoes already! And got yourself some new wheels? @icandyworld_1
BenjamIn Fox Marshall stop growing up so fast. Are you wearing shoes already! And got yourself some new wheels? @icandyworld_1

Zoe encouraged her followers to educate themselves about post-natal depletion. “If you don’t know what this is … it played out in low immunity, constant flu symptoms, exhaustion, moodiness, sadness and overwhelm,” she shared, referencing Dr Oscar Serrallach, author of The Postnatal Depletion Cure.

“I didn’t take one day off mumming (how can you?) or working. I don’t know if that’s good or bad,” she added.

Thankfully, she says she is now feeling better, that a cloud has lifted and she is finally feeling happy again.

Clever lady - making me look alive @helensmakeupartist
Clever lady - making me look alive @helensmakeupartist

“Was it post natal depression? I don’t know. I do know as a woman and mother I put way to [sic] much pressure on myself,” she said.

“Now I can see clearly, It has given me time to re-evaluate my life. Important. The point is, I am OK.

“Please check in on those around you today and every day if you think it’s needed.”

Beautiful family photo. But also a struggle. Today is RUOK day. I have to be honest. Today I am. In fact the last few weeks I've been feeling good. Finally. The two months prior were brutal. Suffering extreme post natal depletion. If you don't know what this is check out @droscarserrallach It played out in low immunity, constant flu symptoms, exhaustion, moodiness, sadness and overwhelm. I didn't take one day off mumming (how can you?) or working. I don't know if that's good or bad. But I tried to keep it together. I tried to smile through it all. I had only time for my baby and work. Everything else fell away. Not talking to anyone about it. Only sharing with you guys glimpses of me not coping. Maybe I overshared at times. I can't believe how happy I finally feel. I guess this is the "normal" me. It's just been so long since I've felt like me. Like the cloud has lifted. Don't get me wrong, I was happy at work, so happy with my husband and baby but everything felt so so hard. 110 times harder than it should. Was it post natal depression? I don't know. I do know as a woman and mother I put way to much pressure on myself. Women are great at that. Not allowing themselves enough fun, space, time. I'm sad at the pressure I've put on myself. Now I can see clearly, It has given me time to re-evaluate my life. Important. The point is, I am OK. Please check in on those around you today and every day if you think it's needed . Ask RUOK? We as a race are very good at hiding when we aren't.
Beautiful family photo. But also a struggle. Today is RUOK day. I have to be honest. Today I am. In fact the last few weeks I've been feeling good. Finally. The two months prior were brutal. Suffering extreme post natal depletion. If you don't know what this is check out @droscarserrallach It played out in low immunity, constant flu symptoms, exhaustion, moodiness, sadness and overwhelm. I didn't take one day off mumming (how can you?) or working. I don't know if that's good or bad. But I tried to keep it together. I tried to smile through it all. I had only time for my baby and work. Everything else fell away. Not talking to anyone about it. Only sharing with you guys glimpses of me not coping. Maybe I overshared at times. I can't believe how happy I finally feel. I guess this is the "normal" me. It's just been so long since I've felt like me. Like the cloud has lifted. Don't get me wrong, I was happy at work, so happy with my husband and baby but everything felt so so hard. 110 times harder than it should. Was it post natal depression? I don't know. I do know as a woman and mother I put way to much pressure on myself. Women are great at that. Not allowing themselves enough fun, space, time. I'm sad at the pressure I've put on myself. Now I can see clearly, It has given me time to re-evaluate my life. Important. The point is, I am OK. Please check in on those around you today and every day if you think it's needed . Ask RUOK? We as a race are very good at hiding when we aren't.

Her honesty has resonated with her followers, with many admitting they have had similar experiences.

“If most Mums are honest, we all feel like that at some time and it’s so sad that it’s not talked about until we get through it and are out the other side,” wrote one mum.

“I’m so grateful that there are people, like you, starting to talk about this. Keep on going, it continues to get easier as time passes,” said another.

Nicola Conville has worked as a journalist and editor for more than 20 years across a wide range of print and online publications. Her areas of expertise are parenting, health and travel. She has two children; Lucy, age eight, and Nathan, age five.