Kian Egan tells how how struggled to get wife Jodi out of bed as she battled post natal depression

Stunning Jodi gave birth to baby Koa in 2011

Former Westlife star Kian Egan has told how he struggled to get wife Jodi Albert out of bed as she battled post natal depression after the birth of their baby son Koa.

The Sligo native spoke candidly about discovering his wife of 11 years sobbing on the bathroom floor as she fought with the condition, which she says made her hate herself.

Stunning singer-actress Jodi, who gave birth to the popstar couple’s first child in 2011, said the crippling depression has now inspired her to write a book to help other new mums.

Talking to Ryan Tubridy on 2fm, the former Hollyoaks star said: “I went through a lot when I was pregnant – Westlife ended, Wonderland ended, a few friends kind of left our lives and a lot of things changed. My mum was sick as well.

“I gave birth thinking that everything was going to be great and I was just so happy with this beautiful little baby and then I think it was an after effect of everything.

“When I looked at Koa I was just so euphoric and you get these big bursts of emotions and I was so happy and everything – and then I just didn’t really like myself very much which was kind of strange.”

Speaking to the show in a phone-in from Manchester, Kian said he took over looking after Koa when he couldn’t get his wife out of bed.

“To be honest I didn’t really know what was going on,” the 34-year-old said.

“Jodi would be lying in bed and I would be like ‘come on babe, let’s get out of bed’ and she’d be like ‘no, I don’t want to get up today’ and I’m like ‘come on, get up out of bed’ and she’d be like ‘no, no, no, just leave me, just leave me’.

“I just thought she’s not up for whatever today so I just tried to take over, take Koa out, give her the time she needed, or be there for her if she needed.”

Now Jodi, 30 –who met Kian in 1999 at Party In The Park when she was just 15 – is using her experience to help other women with a new book.

Talking about recovering from depression, she said: “As soon as I recognised what I had I tended to talk to a lot of women about it – but when you’ve got it you feel ashamed.

“I felt like people might not think I was a good mum.”

Jodi went to therapy and started writing, which has now led to her to start the bones of a comedy book about “stumbling through motherhood”, which she describes as a “fluffy” self-help book.

“I’ve sort of taken the mick out of myself and told my stories and if that means other women can read that when they’re feeling down and I can help in some way, that’s really what I want to achieve,” she said.

Source: www.irishmirror.ie/