Post by CG Wendy on Sept 6, 2008 15:32:00 GMT
From the Daily Mirror. It`s rather long but a great read.
Exclusive: Julia Haworth - I worried I'd get the baby blues.. just like Claire
By Jane Oddy 6/09/2008
The Coronation Street star talks for the first time since having baby Sophia and reveals how her harrowing storyline prompted her to help other mums
Coronation's Street's Claire and baby
Julia Haworth understands the suffering caused by post-natal depression. The Coronation Street star saw its devastating effects when her character Claire Peacock became a very troubled new mum last year.
But happily for 29-year-old Julia, she saw none of that turmoil in her own life after she gave birth to her daughter Sophia Elizabeth six weeks ago.
"I did wonder if I'd be affected by post-natal depression," she admits. "No one's immune, but I hoped I'd be OK… luckily I am."
The dedicated actress says portraying Claire's traumatic early motherhood left her totally drained. "I don't normally take my work home, but with a storyline as harrowing as that, and knowing how it affects so many women, I couldn't help it," says Julia.
"I felt I had to portray it as realistically as possible. But after a distressing scene I'd get home and have another cry to let it all out."
Her experience could hardly have been more different. Talking about her baby joy for the first time, Julia says: "I want to be the best mum in the world. She's the centre of my life now."
But baby Sophia seemed a little reluctant to make her entrance into the world at Manchester's Hope Hospital on July 25.
"It was a long labour but she arrived safe and well and that's the main thing. She was worth it! I'd go through every second again."
Like all new mums Julia is regaining her figure. "I put on weight," she laughs. "I had a big bump!"
"When people said I was blooming and blossoming, I took it as a compliment. I loved being pregnant and I didn't mind my body changing. As I got bigger I really celebrated it because it meant the baby was growing and was healthy.
"It was a good sign. I was never tempted to do a Demi Moore-type photo shoot though. That wasn't for me."
But following her post-natal depression storyline, Julia is only too aware that pregnancy can turn out to be a traumatic and frightening time for some women. "It can bring some to the depths of despair," she says. "I do think people still see post-natal depression as a taboo and don't talk about it.
"I thought Coronation Street dealt with it fantastically, it showed that you can get better and life can go on. I got some wonderful letters from women saying that they had sought help after seeing it."
It inspired Julia to work with the charity Tommy's for its launch of a Let's Talk Baby campaign to help women with pregnancy concerns. Its recent survey with Johnson's Baby revealed 45 per cent of mums-to-be are confused by conflicting pregnancy information.
This month Tommy's will have qualified midwives in various branches of Asda so pregnant women can pop in for a chat.
Julia says: "It's vital in your first pregnancy. I had the odd moment where I was anxious, thinking: 'Can I eat that cheese?'
"To be able to speak to someone who can reassure you is so helpful. It's all about peace of mind."
By Jane Oddy 6/09/2008
The Coronation Street star talks for the first time since having baby Sophia and reveals how her harrowing storyline prompted her to help other mums
Coronation's Street's Claire and baby
Julia Haworth understands the suffering caused by post-natal depression. The Coronation Street star saw its devastating effects when her character Claire Peacock became a very troubled new mum last year.
But happily for 29-year-old Julia, she saw none of that turmoil in her own life after she gave birth to her daughter Sophia Elizabeth six weeks ago.
"I did wonder if I'd be affected by post-natal depression," she admits. "No one's immune, but I hoped I'd be OK… luckily I am."
The dedicated actress says portraying Claire's traumatic early motherhood left her totally drained. "I don't normally take my work home, but with a storyline as harrowing as that, and knowing how it affects so many women, I couldn't help it," says Julia.
"I felt I had to portray it as realistically as possible. But after a distressing scene I'd get home and have another cry to let it all out."
Her experience could hardly have been more different. Talking about her baby joy for the first time, Julia says: "I want to be the best mum in the world. She's the centre of my life now."
But baby Sophia seemed a little reluctant to make her entrance into the world at Manchester's Hope Hospital on July 25.
"It was a long labour but she arrived safe and well and that's the main thing. She was worth it! I'd go through every second again."
Like all new mums Julia is regaining her figure. "I put on weight," she laughs. "I had a big bump!"
"When people said I was blooming and blossoming, I took it as a compliment. I loved being pregnant and I didn't mind my body changing. As I got bigger I really celebrated it because it meant the baby was growing and was healthy.
"It was a good sign. I was never tempted to do a Demi Moore-type photo shoot though. That wasn't for me."
But following her post-natal depression storyline, Julia is only too aware that pregnancy can turn out to be a traumatic and frightening time for some women. "It can bring some to the depths of despair," she says. "I do think people still see post-natal depression as a taboo and don't talk about it.
"I thought Coronation Street dealt with it fantastically, it showed that you can get better and life can go on. I got some wonderful letters from women saying that they had sought help after seeing it."
It inspired Julia to work with the charity Tommy's for its launch of a Let's Talk Baby campaign to help women with pregnancy concerns. Its recent survey with Johnson's Baby revealed 45 per cent of mums-to-be are confused by conflicting pregnancy information.
This month Tommy's will have qualified midwives in various branches of Asda so pregnant women can pop in for a chat.
Julia says: "It's vital in your first pregnancy. I had the odd moment where I was anxious, thinking: 'Can I eat that cheese?'
"To be able to speak to someone who can reassure you is so helpful. It's all about peace of mind."
