Gena Lee Nolin Opens Up About Battle With Postpartum Depression

Courtesy Life & Style for use on CBB

In an new interview with Life & Style, Gena Lee Nolin, 37, opens up for the first time about her long struggle with postpartum depression (PPD).

“It’s a roller coaster of emotion,” she says. “It’s so intense and comes on so quickly. Your hormones are completely out of whack.”

Unfortunately, the feelings of despair that came with her third delivery — daughter Stella Monroe arrived last December — were painfully familiar: Gena had experienced PPD following the birth of her sons, Spencer, 12, and Hudson Lee, 3.

“It was really hard with the first one because I didn’t see it coming,” Gena explains. “I couldn’t figure out why I was so sad when I had this beautiful, healthy baby and a great job. Baywatch was the No. 1 show in the world at that time. I had nothing to be upset about. I thought I was nuts.”

But when her uncontrollable crying didn’t stop after six months, Gena, who was married to Greg Fahlman at the time, knew she needed help. So the actress sought guidance from a counselor and spent seven months on a low dose of antidepressants.

Click below to read about Gena’s struggle with PPD after her subsequent pregnancies.

Courtesy Life & Style for use on CBB

By 2005 she’d put the harrowing experience behind her and welcomed Hudson with her husband, NHL player Cale Hulse, the following year.

“Going into the second pregnancy, I didn’t think the PPD would be as bad — I was euphoric,” says Gena. “But it was my worst case. I didn’t want to get out of bed, and I would cry with no idea what I was crying about. I was put on meds immediately.”

The couple were prepared when Stella arrived. Gena quickly found counseling and was prescribed medicine that was safe to take even while breastfeeding.

She also decided to overhaul her diet-and-fitness regimen. Trainer Michael Nelson gave Gena a list of exercises catering to her body type: She did core work like planks and sit-ups, hit the treadmill and lifted hand weights four to five days a week.

During that time, Gena steered clear of dairy and wheat, opting for five meals a day of healthy fare such as leafy salads and fresh fish, and soon saw her weight drop from about 195 pounds to 130.

“The healthy lifestyle helped me on the inside,” says Gena.

Now, having beaten her third case of PPD and with her family complete, Gena’s penning a book about her experiences to help other struggling moms.

“Allow yourself to have the feelings you’re having,” she advises. “Get help. Reach out. Don’t be hard on yourself.”

For more on Gena’s experience with PPD, pick up the latest issue of Life & Style, on newsstands now.

Comments

Summer on September 23rd, 2009

Thank you for sharing this, Gena! I am currently battling PPD, and it helps to know I’m not alone.

lucy80 on September 23rd, 2009

oh what a beautiful dress, does anyone recognize it from anywere? want it for my daughter!

ABG on September 23rd, 2009

I have so much respect and admiration for women who will open up about this. It has to be tough to talk about, but it really needs to be said.

Tiffany on September 23rd, 2009

I am a mother of four and have suffered with PPD every pregnancy. I cannott express enough that my symptoms increased with every birth.. My third def the hardest. For my fourth pregnancy I was even started on anti depressants while still pregnant and the dosage was upped after birth…Ladies please know that for some women this is just a part of childbirth and also know that it is ok to admit you are struggling and need some help..My fourth, a son is three now but it took me a good year and a half to start feeling myself again and to be able to wean myself off of the medication..My children are all beautiful, healthy children and I am so blessed..

stan on September 23rd, 2009

I wish Drs were more concerned with this. When I had my son, at my 6 weeks post check up my Dr didnt even ask me anything about it but I was crying uncontrollably and I said to him, is this normal and he said: “Do you want to harm yourself or the baby?” and I said no but I cant stop crying and he said, “Do you want to harm yourself or the baby?” Then kind of said well if you want to talk to someone I’m sure we can get some names for you. He couldnt have cared less.
Luckily I had the means and connections to go on my own and find someone to talk to but really, I couldnt help but think that his question came word for word from some how to limit your liability pamphlet he got from his malpractice insurance carrier.
If you feel sad or overwhlemed find help, even if your MD doesnt take it seriously, there are people who will.

mmh on September 23rd, 2009

I didn’t even know I had PPD until maybe a year after. My mom was hundreds of miles away and my only friend close by who’d had a baby had it too so we both just thought our emotions were normal. There should be a very specific set of questions they ask you at your 6-week check-up to determine if you have it or not. Then they should refer you directly to a counselor if you have ANY warning signs. I had no idea anything was wrong with me, and, even if I had, I would have had no idea how to get help.

Good for her for opening up about this! I had only heard from people who had it with one child, but knowing it could happen to me again is good to know… I will be more proactive next time…

millefleur on September 23rd, 2009

I really appreciate it when celebs open up about things like this. It is so helpful for the rest of us to have the support and know that we are not alone.

JMO on September 23rd, 2009

That’s one beautiful mama and baby!!

HZ on September 23rd, 2009

It is great to hear I had it with both of my children and I was not prepared to feel the way I felt. After 6 weeks I was put on medication and felt like a new person. Second one I went right on at 2 weeks since the feelings started to pop out again.I love that women are talking about it now and want to tell women that is it ok to talk about it and there is help and that is why medication is made to help people!

hayley on September 23rd, 2009

It took the birth of my daughter to cure me…i had no idea how sick i was untill i felt better, during my son c section i thought he had died, this was my last thought before i was put to sleep in order to save his life and mine and i could never let that go, it haunted me and i never new just how sick or sad i was, i new something was off, i felt like i had lost myself , like i wasn’t really me then my beautiful daughter came along and like magic i was me again, my children are only 14 months apart and i am glad realy my time during that part of my life was short, i can not thank my baby girl enough for making mummy better so i truly feel for any one that suffers from any type of ppd or post trumatic stree……its heartbreaking and in the worst case they way you feel about your child can be damaged….

us woman need to stick togther, support each other make sure no one suffers alone. NEVER keep how you feel to yourself , xxxxxxx

cassie on September 23rd, 2009

so grat to hear these stories of otehr moms

Jessicad on September 23rd, 2009

Agree with all the above! I love when celebs share stories like this, it isn’t talked about enough in my opinion. Sometimes I’d look around and feel like I was the only one of my friends feeling that way, and it’d make me feel even worse. My dr just shoved pills in my face as he ran out the door to his next patient and couldn’t have cared less. Nobdy prepares you for it, it’s embarrassing to talk about for some people and that’s such a shame, it shouldn’t be. Luckily I started feeling better or more like myself when my daughter turned one, but next time I’ll be better prepared.

That dress is adorable and so are they!

Karen Shireman on September 23rd, 2009

I applaud Gena for speaking out about her struggle. I gave birth to my third daughter last year at 42 and was blindsided with postpartum depression. This was the first time I experienced it and was totally in a tailspin. I literally cried for nine months straight and didn’t feel like myself until 13 months after delivery. I was suicidal and completely had shutdown. I was unable to nurse my baby and was completely devastated. I remember calling my OB at the seven month mark and just bawling that something was not right, and was told that I would be fine soon and maybe should try birth control pills to help me. Looking back now, I really wish I had sought help elsewhere because maybe I could have got back to normal faster. People need to realize this is a very scary condition and not to pretend it doesn’t exist. I am thankful I made it through the dark days and that my toddler is happy and healthy — I am thankful that I am also now happy and healthy.

Rye on September 23rd, 2009

Beautiful baby…that dress she is wearing looks like a mumu to me though!

kellara on September 23rd, 2009

So important for people to share stories like this. By the time my second daughter was 3 months old, I was barely functioning. I never wanted to hurt either of us BUT I could not leave the house, did not want to see friends at all, had trouble getting out of bed, showering or getting dressed seemed like monumental tasks, I could not wait for each day to be over. Thank god my mom and husband made me call my OB – they were so responsive and made my appointment therapist the next day. She told me how common this one and that I was going to feel much better soon. A few sessions and some low dose antidepressants and I was feeling remarkably better in just 2 weeks. In retrospect, I was dealing with a low level of depression for years! I am so thankful and lucky that I was treated seriously and with understanding…so lucky and happy!!!

Boo on September 23rd, 2009

Gena Lee Nolin thank you so much for sharing this story because I severely struggled with PPD three years ago and it absolutely came unexpectedly…It was awful!! I’m 38 years old and so afraid to get pregnant again for this very reason but know time isn’t on my side this time …It’s a bittersweet…

am581 on September 24th, 2009

Since we’re telling stories, here is mine, will try not to make it TOO long! lol I had this with my second child. I am not a baby person, I am a kid person. I was assured when pregnant the first time that I would simply adore my baby. I didnt, it was just a baby that happened to be mine. Took me a year to say I love you to her. Now she’s my world.

For some reason the second time that lack of feeling affected me more. I think I thought that the second time time I would appreciate it more somehow, see what other women see in their newborns, be madly in love from the first minute. Breastfeeding had failed with the first one because of several health issues (all mild, nothing life threatening thanks to modern medicine). I put baby #2 to my breast for the first time and wanted to yank her off immediately. I tried a couple more times but when she latched on I felt like I had a leech on me, not my child. I pumped after that. No, an electric pump tugging on my like a cow didnt phase me but my own baby did. Who can explain it? Looking back I know that something was wrong already. That didnt happen the first time.

I wasnt madly in love with #1 but I was fiercely protective and maternal with her, mother bear syndrome, very much her mother. #2 felt alien in some bizarre way. When I went to my 4 week check up I said I was fine. But that out of touch feeling was spiraling into a nice good case of PPD and I wouldnt admit it. I wanted to be fine, to be happy, normal. By week 6 I would only hold her if no one else would, if it was absolutely necessary. By week 7 I had a panic attack when my husband just put her in my lap so he could go to the bathroom.

The next day I talked to my doc and got on meds. I was only on less than 6 mos. I was on full dose for 3 or 4 mos and then very slowly weaned off to see how I would do. I was fine. But I still wasnt a baby person. lol. Took me about a year with the second one too. Luckily for anybody worrying about my babies, my husband simply adores newborns. The older they get the less he’s enamoured. For me its the opposte. My first is 4 next month and cant wait for #2, who is 1 now, to get there to. Its a blast. Happy to be happy now and hoping women see PPD for what it is- a disease.

Lily on September 24th, 2009

This is a very important subject that does not get touched upon enough. I would love to know what medication they gave her that is safe to use while breast-feeding. If anyone knows of one, please post.

Terri on September 24th, 2009

Little Stella is adorable. She’ll be as beautiful as her mama when she grows up.

Rebecca on September 24th, 2009

I too suffered from PPD after the birth of my children. It was much worse the second time around. I believe it hit me the moment she was cut out of me. Exercise and antidepressants worked for me. I had to try a couple different meds though. I breastfed and I was given zoloft, paxil…neither worked for me. Panic attack city! Wellbutrin literally saved my life. Some women, especially ones that have never suffered from PPD; seem to say “snap out of it” or ” some exercise will help.” Not for me, without antidepressants I would possibly not be alive. Its a hormonal imbalance. Im glad ladies are speaking out about PPD. Its nothing to be ashamed about. Its good to know I wasnt alone.

Deb on September 24th, 2009

Like some of you I also had issues with PPD. I am also not a baby person. My daughter is 2 now, so it is better but looking forward to 4 years & beyond. I remember telling my husband while a wimpering idiot a few weeks after having her how I just felt ugly inside & out. Spoke w/obgyn about it at 6wk appt. (again just crying uncontrollably) and got the same response “do you want to harm yourself or your child?” I said no. She wanted me to journal my feelings…. WHAT? I’ve got a newborn & you want me to do what? I then called one of the so called PPD support groups I found on line… left a message, they called me like 2 weeks later, saying they would have a person in my area contact me… never happend! I am still carrying a chip on my shoulder about the whole thing!

Crystal on September 24th, 2009

I applaud Gena Lee Nolin on her open and honest account of her struggle with PPD. There is soo much to learn about this disorder and it definitely helps when people are willing to talk about it and get the word out.

mom2boys on September 24th, 2009

Totally off topic but in the first pic, that precious baby looks just like a baby version of Jaime Pressly!

marimel on September 24th, 2009

I’m not a mother yet and won’t be for at least a few years, but I have a question for you ladies…

If you suffer from PPD and are medicated, are you still able to breastfeed? I’m thinking the answer is no, because I’m fairly certain you aren’t allowed to take anti-depressants and breastfeed as it may harm the child, but I wasn’t positive. Also, if I am correct in my assumption, did any of you have an even greater struggle after being told to quit breastfeeding? Thanks in advance for any answers!

CelebBabyLover on September 25th, 2009

marimel- Gena answered that in the post. When she had PPD after Stella, the doctor gave her medicine that was safe to take while breastfeeding.

Lily on September 25th, 2009

I’m grateful I never experienced post partum depression. I experienced post-partum bitchiness! lol! I was tired, irritable and with the lack of sleep, I look back and realize I was really moody with my family and my husband. It wasn’t the hormones. Emotionally I felt fine. I just wasn’t used to the lack of sleep and the time management. I had less time for me. I was angry at my husband for not helping out more with the baby and the house. So, I can’t say it was the baby, it was just me being exhausted. It never affected my love or feelings for my child though. I was totally overprotective and loved her from the moment she came out. After 3 or 4 months, my husband and I found a common ground, found a flow…now we’re on the same page.

Heather on September 25th, 2009

The above posters laments are just another reason to support the midwifery model of care( whether your provider is a midwife or an ob/gyn). It wasn’t until my new daughter was born this summer that I knew just how off I had been with my older son and daughter. I heard talk of PPD, but I thought that what I was dealing with was nothing of the sort- partially because I was dealing with military deployments and chalked my hormones up to “normal” and deployment sadness.

This time, though,my midwife was wonderful. It was almost like having a built in therapist, who talked to my about everything that was going on in my life dfuring prenatal visits. I was able to work out a lot of the things I was delaing with ( like my older daughter’s near fatal accident) and feel like I had built in support as well. when the new baby arrived, my midwife came back to the house 2 days, 7 days and 2 weeks later; with questions to screen for PPD, as well as some tell-tale signs to look for and some things for my husband to watch out for. She had a management plan already decided in case it reared its ugly head.

Careproviders should make women feel supported, never dismissive about questions-especially ones as serious as this. In so many cases a woman that does something horrible to herself or her baby would only have days before answered “never” to the question of “do you feel like harming yourself or the baby”. And besides, is that the only reason to do something about PPD ? no, a woman shouldn’t be left to be miserable either.

Summer on September 25th, 2009

marimel – Some medications are safe and some aren’t. Since it’s most important for mom to be mentally well, you have to take what works regardless of whether it’s safe for nursing. The medication that works for me is not considered safe for nursing, but it is what keeps me well. Yes, I did feel even greater guilt after I had to stop nursing, but as soon as the depressive fog lifted I didn’t let it get to me anymore. The important thing was that I was finally able to enjoy my baby!

Gena Lee Nolin on September 27th, 2009

Ladies,

After reading the feedback on my story, it put tears in my eyes. Listening to your stories made me realize I did the right thing in opening a door that not many do. It’s not cool to be depressed in Hollywood, it’s certainly not glamorous and yet it weighed so heavy on my heart to let go of it all! Even if that meant I wasn’t cool or God forbid sexy anymore! I’m currently writing a book on my story and the juicy situations that went down!

Another thing, who gives a damn about getting thin in a ridiculous amount of time. If you want to eat “healthy and exercise” do it for the right reasons. There’s way too much pressure to keep up with Hollywood celebrities.. However, you have to understand it’s a job for us to stay fit, I chose to do it the slow and steady way. Also, don’t care so much about what others think. Speak out, you just may find yourself in good company, helping someone else who feels ashamed and embarrassed as I once did. Its in all of us to excel, to become the women, mothers, wives we’re supposed to be.

Someone asked earlier if you can take anti depressants while breast feeding – Yes, you can take certain ones, (zoloft) worked for me. Ask your doctor for the right fit, as our bodies are all different.
I thank my fellow mommies for your support! I’m still sexy!! My future now holds the cover of Cookie & Good Housekeeping! Don’t you love how life continually changes in such positive ways. Now with that being said… I’m still that sexy Baywatch babe, right?!

Peace & Strength to my fellow Sisters,

Gena Lee Nolin — keep the blogs coming!