Kate Ferdinand opens up on mental health struggles and pregnancy 'guilt'

Posted Thursday, September 24, 2020 by Dailystar.co.uk

Former TOWIE star Kate Ferdinand is currently expecting her first child with footie ace, Rio, but has revealed she struggled while pregnant and adjusting to lockdown

Kate Ferdinand has reflected on her first pregnancy, admitting she struggled in her first trimester and her battles with mental health.

The former The Only Way Is Essex star, 29, is currently expecting her first child with former Manchester United ace, Rio Ferdinand, 41.

During her pregnancy, Kate gave fans a glimpse into her life, sharing snaps of her blossoming bump as well as revealing the gender of her unborn son, earlier this month.

Now, during a candid podcast, the former reality star has spoken honestly about her struggles adjusting to expecting her first child, despite being a step-mum.

Kate Ferdinand opens up on mental health struggles and pregnancy 'guilt'
Kate is currently expecting her first child with Rio Ferdinand (Image: xkateferdinand/Instagram)

Speaking to Women's Health Going for Goal podcast, Kate said: "The first three months I really, really struggled."

She added: "I struggle with my mental health…being active helps me day-to-day with my anxiety.

"So when I can’t do things, I really struggle with it…I want to do everything. Rio says to me ‘Kate, just sit down.

"You just need to sit down and relax’. But I don’t know why, I just feel guilty when I do."

She went on to say that despite living an active lifestyle and often being in the gym, she couldn't adjust to being tired all the time and not having the energy to work out.

However, now being in her second trimester, she feels "more normal".

Kate Ferdinand opens up on mental health struggles and pregnancy 'guilt'
Kate has revealed she struggled during her first trimester (Image: xkateferdinand/Instagram)

The blonde bombshell later admitted that the lockdown period had been an "experience" as her three step-children didn't know she was expecting.

"Something that I've struggled with is being pregnant with my first biological child, and still being a mum."

Kate took on Rio's children, Lorenz, 14, Tate, 12 and Tia, nine, from his first marriage to late wife, Rebecca Ellison.

Kate Ferdinand opens up on mental health struggles and pregnancy 'guilt'
Kate became step-mum to Rio's three kids when she married the footballer (Image: rioferdy5/Instagram)

"So I felt I had all these new experiences… but I was still a step-mother or mother figure to three kids," Kate said.

Since becoming a step-mum, Kate has formed a close bond with Rio's children with Tia often calling Kate "mum," as she was only young when Rebecca passed away from breast cancer.

Kate Ferdinand opens up on mental health struggles and pregnancy 'guilt'
Kate has developed a close relationship to Rio's three children (Image: xkateferdinand/Instagram)

In the BBC documentary, Rio and Kate: Becoming a Step-Family, Lorenz explained: "Tia she's never really had a mum. Sometimes I used to think this as well, it's gonna be weird not saying mum ever again.

"But then Tia in a way she didn't really know mum, do you know what I mean?

"Calling her mum might be a natural thing."