Media personality Thembisa Liyema Nxumalo recently opened up about the emotional strain caused by the effects pregnancy has on women.
The content shared by the former Our Perfect Wedding reality TV host has been proven by many research studies that show that pregnancy can emotionally affect the daily lives of women. Symptoms of the effects vary, some include anxiety, depression and panic attacks (racing heart, palpitations, shortness of breath).
While Thembisa, who is a sister to an equally famous Anele Mdoda is enjoying motherhood, the dotting mother shared what many working moms struggle with, returning to work soon after giving birth, will little recovery time.
In an X (formerly known as Twitter) post, the actress detailed, “I went back to work a week after I gave birth to my son. Today, I tell my therapist that I’m exhausted and emotional and my cup is empty. She looks at me and says; you know why. I, literally, sobbed.”
I went back to work a week after I gave birth to my son. Today, I tell my therapist that I’m exhausted, emotional and my cup is empty. She looks at me and says; you know why. I, literally, sobbed🥺😢.
— Thembisa Liyema Nxumalo (@tembisanxumalo) April 22, 2024
She followed with another post, noting:
We don’t speak enough about the effects pregnancy has on a woman; physically and mentally. How important it is to take the time to get back to self. We also don’t speak enough about how society seldom gives women a safe space to do so.
— Thembisa Liyema Nxumalo (@tembisanxumalo) April 22, 2024
Detailing the pressure for women to get back to their normal selves as if no big change has happened in their lives and bodies, she shared:
The pressure to snap back. To not look like you’ve just had a baby. Hell, to not look like your mental state. Constantly taking on more because a growing family needs growing pockets. It’s an amazing time. This year feels like it’s sprinkled with magic dust but…
Man, I’m tired.— Thembisa Liyema Nxumalo (@tembisanxumalo) April 22, 2024
Sharing how much time she had before getting back to work again, she shared:
A week🥺. Infact, on the 7th day I was on set.
— Thembisa Liyema Nxumalo (@tembisanxumalo) April 22, 2024
Also see: ‘I left sangomahood for motherhood and christianity’ – Brenda Ngxoli