Celebrity Moms Open Up About Their Hidden Postpartum Struggles in PSA

There are a lot of magical, sweet and funny moments that come about those first few months after bringing baby home, but the postpartum period is no joke. From separation anxiety to identity crises and a lack of sleep—that’s not even taking into account all the physical struggles, from fluctuating hormones to healing and getting adjusted to a new body. To help more mothers feel seen in what can often feel like an isolating and strange experience celebrity moms are speaking up about their experiences.

In a new partnership with Natural Cycles and Postpartum Support International (PSI), five celebrity moms, including Elaine Welteroth, Halle Bailey, Ashley Tisdale, Tess Holliday and Stephanie Beatriz, come together to ask the important question “Is Mommy Okay?” Spoiler alert—she’s not and she needs your help. The glamorous, vintage-style PSA centers mom as the focus when all the questions in those first months seem to center exclusively around baby. And hey, while baby may be the new center of your universe, in order for mom to give baby her best she’s going to need some help.

“Pregnancy and the path to motherhood is so much harder than anyone prepared me for, and why don’t we talk about it more,” Welteroth asks in the PSA. “Society needs to take postpartum and what moms go through more seriously. You have to be nurtured to be a nurturer,” adds Bailey. “Everybody says it takes a village to raise a baby, but nobody realizes a mother needs a village too. When was the last time you asked, ‘Is mommy okay?’” chimes in Holliday.

Outside of the main PSA, each of the celebrity stars speak frankly about their postpartum journey in five separate videos. Brooklyn 99’s Stephanie Beatriz tackles anxiety, Disney alum Ashley Tisdale talks mom guilt, The Little Mermaid’s Halle Bailey addresses separation anxiety, journalist Elaine Welteroth dives into healthcare advocacy and Tess Holliday touches on postpartum depression.

The campaign coincides with the launch of NC° Postpartum, a new experience within the Natural Cycles app specifically tailored to help guide new moms recovering physically and mentally from childbirth. "At least one in five women experience depression or anxiety during the perinatal period, so our hope is this campaign will raise greater awareness about the prevalence of perinatal mental health disorders and empower individuals with knowledge, support, and resources, ensuring that no one faces these challenges alone,” Wendy Davis, executive director of Postpartum Support International, said in a press release. “To all mothers suffering, we see you. You are not alone. This is temporary. With help, you will feel like yourself again.”

If you are struggling with postpartum depression, know you aren’t alone. Learn how to establish an emotional support group and more about recognizing the signs and symptoms of postpartum depression. You can also reach out to the Maternal Mental Health hotline at 1-833-943-5746, where you can talk or text with a trained counselor.