Bhabiji Ghar Par Hain's Saumya Tandon opens up about embracing motherhood, breast-feeding and postpartum depression

Bhabiji Ghar Par Hain actress Saumya Tandon, who delivered a baby boy on January 14, is beaming with joy with the new arrival in their life. The beautiful actress in an exclusive conversation with the TimesofIndia.com talks about embracing motherhood, dealing with postpartum depression and also focusing on career post the baby. (Photo: Instagram). Interview by: Vijaya Tiwari

It's overwhelming and quite an achievement for me. I am still getting used to it. It's a big change and I guess I will learn soon. (Photo: Instagram).

I haven't decided on the name yet. I am taking help from social media. I want my Twitter, Instagram and social media friends and family to suggest something because we are still debating on the name. We have realized that most of the good names are already being taken by other celebrity. We are still deciding. My husband comes up with all crazy names. So lots of name suggestions are pouring in from friends and family. (Photo: Instagram).

I have just returned home. I wanted a peaceful time and did not want too much attention as there was too much to deal with. That is the reason I did not tell anyone about my delivery. There was so much to deal with as I was rushed to the hospital due to medical reasons. When I came back from the hospital is when I informed. (Photo: Instagram).

Yes I am still getting used to because I am a breast-feeding mother and I want to advocate breast-feeding. I know it's tough to be active in every two hours and breastfeed your baby, though I have help at home thankfully. I am reading a lot of books because the idea is to make the baby have a sleep pattern so that everyone finds sanity around. Just trying to learn everything. (Photo: Instagram).

I was really taking care of eating healthy. My initial months of pregnancy were very very tough. I was shooting for the show and I did that for a very long time till my last trimester. I was doing a lot of exercises like yoga to strengthen the body and let proper oxygen flow in the body. That helped me not have any aches and water retention problem because a lot of women get swollen up during pregnancy. Everyday till the time of delivery I was walking for 30 minutes after my dinner and in the morning I was practicing 1 and a half hour of yoga. I was doing Suryanamaskar, stretches and squats everyday. I did make sure that I follow a fitness routine and eat a healthy diet so that the baby gets all the nutrition. I really worked hard and I think it paid off well as I did not gain much weight. I just gained 12 kgs and have lost 7 after delivery. (Photo: Instagram).

A lot of toning up and strengthening is required now after I have delivered the baby and It is going to be a challenge. Because when you deliver - a lot of nutrition and calcium goes out of a woman's body - that's why it is said that it is a second birth for a woman. So, I have to work a lot on my body but the job will be easier. I started my hard work during my pregnancy. I made sure I did not eat too much ghee and ghee ke ladoo. There's a myth that a pregnant woman needs to eat for two people which is actually not the case. You have to eat healthy stuff because the baby gets nutrition from the mother. A pregnant woman doesn't need to eat extra for the child, she just needs to eat what is right. I was reading a lot of books and stayed away from all the traditional myth of ghee and ghee ke ladoo. (Photo: Instagram).

Yes, I do feel irritated and stressed at times. After delivery there are so many guests and relatives who keep dropping in without realising that the mother needs rest because probably she must have not slept the previous night. Their energy level and our energy is totally different. There's a lot of stress. That is the reason I did not inform people right after my delivery. I made it a point that when I am in the hospital I do not want to indulge in anything and my husband and family were also very supportive about it. Nothing about motherhood and parenting is easy. You need a lot of support from your family. I really feel for the women who live with their in-laws who are not supportive or understanding. It might be a big happy news for everyone, but the mother needs proper rest, care, love and diet. Nobody talks about postpartum depression because no one acknowledges it. I am very touchy when somebody says something harsh and I get tears in my eyes. I do sometimes wonder why this is happening to me because I am such a strong girl. But then I realise it just the hormones that are kicking in and the fact that I am exhausted. There's so much new to absorb and learn. (Photo: Instagram).

As a woman your priority should be your baby. Your kid should be your first love, but having said that you can't leave your identity. If you are sitting at home only doing this and if you are a working woman you are going to get depressed unless you enjoy doing it. If you are not happy, how can you keep anyone around you happy. I think it is an individual choice - some like to give up career and some continue even after the baby. So, it is an individual choice. I am not going to ridicule women or look down upon them just because they chose to be with their baby. I believe motherhood should not stop a woman from achieving what she wants in life. I feel I am more strong now and more driven towards my dream. Hat's off to all the women who are coming out and breaking all the stereotype and celebrating their marriage and motherhood. I really want the trend to go on because a woman doesn't become less desirable if she gets married or delivers a baby. I hope that I am able to break the norm or atleast be a part of this trend. I want to get back to work. (Photo: Instagram).

I also feel the husbands need to be more supportive. It's high time that the men also help their wives at home. Women have learnt how to balance both the worlds outside and house. Men need to be a little proactive. Even they should come ahead and say if you are breastfeeding the baby let me do the burping or let me change the nappy. I feel this way a women can have a happy family and a happy career. Saurabh is surprisingly very good. He is chipping in and excited about handling all the responsibilities. He does all that he can especially during the weekend because weekdays are very hectic. He has also told me he will work around his time so that even I can manage my work. I am at home for next two months for sure. (Photo: Instagram).