This archive report was first published on 6 August 2019.
Former Tahidi High actress Jackie 'Jolene' Matubia's life took a dramatic turn after she gave birth to her first child, Zari Wanjiku, in 2015. The new mother sunk into depression, a condition that would test her marriage and her ability to cope with motherhood.
Matubia, who is married to Kennedy Nyogz, a pilot at Kenya Airways, revealed that the depression was so severe that it almost ruined her marriage. 'I had these conflicting feelings of constantly wondering whether I should have waited to have a baby and when I tried going back to work, I felt like I was not being the best mum,' she said in an interview with Parents Magazine.
Matubia's struggles with postpartum depression were further complicated by the lack of awareness about the condition at the time. 'It even caused some friction in my marriage because we were young first-time parents and during that period there wasn’t much awareness about such things,' she confessed.
Matubia's story serves as a reminder of the importance of seeking help and support during the postpartum period. With the right resources and support, new mothers can navigate the challenges of motherhood and build strong, healthy relationships with their families.
