Ghazal Alagh, a former judge on Shark Tank India and the founder of Mama Earth, recently shared her experiences regarding her pregnancy journey in an interview with Official People of India. She openly discussed the challenges she faced postpartum, the weight gain associated with her pregnancies, and the emotional and physical obstacles she encountered, providing a candid and relatable viewpoint for many women. Let us explore her narrative and extract some valuable lessons.

Ghazal Alagh opens up about pregnancy challenges and postpartum depression

Ghazal Alagh discusses her pregnancy difficulties and postpartum depression. As a mother of two, she reflected on her pregnancies, stating that "every pregnancy is different," and noted that both of hers were particularly challenging, especially the second. Both of her children were born prematurely, with deliveries occurring before the ninth month.

In her account, Ghazal highlighted the various physical and emotional difficulties she faced during her second pregnancy. "It was challenging because there are numerous supplements required, and many of them did not agree with me," she explained. She also mentioned that her dietician recommended a red meat diet to help manage her iron levels and ensure adequate blood flow to the baby.

Additionally, she disclosed that she experienced considerable weight gain during her first pregnancy, accumulating nearly 20 kilos in the final three months. By the time of her delivery in August, her weight had reached 90 kg. Initially, she believed this weight was merely due to the baby, but she soon recognized that it was not solely attributable to a 30 kg infant. When she weighed herself again, she found that she was still at 87 kg. Although others reassured her that it would take time to return to her pre-pregnancy state, the most challenging aspect was adjusting to her new body and the self-image she was confronting.

‘I didn’t want to look at myself in the mirror’

She characterized her postpartum experience as a significant challenge, both physically and emotionally. Prior to this period, she had already been feeling fatigued and recognized that she had become accustomed to a particular body image. Consequently, any changes made her feel quite uncomfortable with herself. She avoided looking in the mirror and experienced a decline in her confidence and sense of well-being.

The stress she encountered also affected her breastfeeding capabilities. Ghazal explained that her preoccupation with her self-image hindered her milk supply, making breastfeeding a difficult endeavor. At that time, she was unaware that she was experiencing postpartum depression. The situation was overwhelming both mentally and physically, and she admitted that she lacked awareness of her condition during that period.

Emotional struggle of postpartum journey

Ghazal also candidly discussed the profound emotional difficulties she faced during her postpartum journey, recounting days when she found it hard to leave her room. Even when guests arrived to celebrate her new arrival, their presence felt irritating. She described a sense of entrapment, feeling emotionally exhausted, which left her feeling low and on the brink of tears. Whenever someone visited, she would often find herself crying once they departed.

Additionally, she revealed a poignant emotional conflict. "Although I adored my baby completely, breastfeeding was so challenging that I frequently thought: 'Please don’t bring him near me. I don’t want to feed him.'" Ghazal expressed how this led her to perceive herself as a failing mother, stating, “People are filled with joy when they have children, yet here I was, ruining my family and not loving my baby in the way I believed I should.”

Ghazal acknowledged the steadfast support of her family during these trying times, noting that both her mothers and Varun sensed that something was amiss. His encouragement, which included compliments and suggestions for outings, provided her with essential emotional support.

She also elaborated on the difficulties encountered during her second pregnancy, which included diminished blood flow to the fetus, increased blood viscosity, and the necessity of daily injections. In spite of these obstacles, Ghazal maintained her professional responsibilities, even participating in the filming of Shark Tank during her seventh and eighth months of pregnancy. Prior to each filming session, she would administer an injection, and upon returning home, she would take another.

Ghazal Alagh's experience with pregnancy and postpartum depression highlights the frequently unrecognized challenges that many mothers endure. Her narrative serves as a poignant reminder of the significance of familial support, self-awareness, and the importance of seeking assistance when necessary.

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