Mrs Hinch reveals heartbreaking reason she didn't open up about 'emotional struggles' after birth of her son
She has built a huge fanbase on Instagram by sharing all aspects of her life, from her cleaning tips to family routine.
But Sophie Hinchliffe – better known as Mrs Hinch – has revealed that she feared opening up about her mental health after the birth of her son Ronnie in June 2019.
Speaking to The Sun’s Fabulous magazine, the social media star, 30, said she had initially worried about disclosing feelings of despair, spiralling thoughts and questioning her parenting abilities in the months after he arrived.
She said: “I never spoke about it at the time because it felt a little bit like it would come across as attention-seeking and I also worried about bringing other people down.
“I didn’t make out everything was perfect... instead I just didn’t say anything at all. But now I will talk about it all day long if that is what’s needed to make people reach out.”
While Hinchcliffe didn’t specify that she had postnatal depression – which affects one in 10 women in the UK – she admitted: “I wish I’d got help sooner.
“Most days I was like: ‘Who am I?’ I didn’t know what I was doing and I’m not going to lie and say it was all roses and a beautiful experience from start to finish, because it bloody wasn’t.”
She eventually wrote about her heartbreaking experience of early motherhood in her memoir, This Is Me, published last autumn and which went on to become a Sunday Times number one bestseller.
The mother-of-one announced on New Year’s Day that she is expecting her second child with husband Jamie.
Hinchliffe shared a picture with her four million followers on Instagram of Ronnie holding a board revealing the happy news.
Captioning the sweet image, she wrote: “It is often in the darkest skies that we see the brightest stars. Baby Hinch number two, we can’t wait to finally meet you.
“Happy New Year everyone... from our little family to yours... we hope your 2021 is filled with hope, health and happiness. We love you all.”
The post garnered more than 1.4 million ‘likes’ and over 58,000 comments.
Loose Women panellist Sophie Solomon wrote: “Ron you are going to be the best big brother ever. “
Love Island star Dani Dyer shared: “Omg congratulations.”
TOWIE cast member Lydia Bright added: “Ah congratulations darling.”
In her latest interview, Hinchcliffe – who hasn’t revealed her due date yet – also admitted that she been devouring some unusual foods while carrying her second child.
She said: “I’m living off jacket potatoes and Weetabix! I had exactly the same cravings last time. Pregnancy is so strange, isn’t it?”
