NRL WAG Tahlia Giumelli reveals battle with postnatal depression

Model and Burgess clan WAG Tahlia Guimelli says she cried tears of frustration and anger after the birth of her second child.

Rugby league WAG Tahlia Giumelli has detailed her battle with postnatal depression revealing she cried tears of frustration and anger.

The fiance of Rabbitohs star Thomas Burgess said she realised something was wrong about seven weeks after the birth of her second child, Elodie, who is now four months old.

“I was a right mess,” the model mum shared on Instagram. “I just knew myself and I knew this wasn’t the person I am. I would cry tears of frustration and anger. I wanted to pack my bags and just be on my own. I kept saying I’m not coping over and over again and I wasn’t.”

Tahlia Giumelli, partner of footballer Thomas Burgess, revealed her battle with post natal depression on Instagram.

Tom Burgess and Tahlia Giumelli announce the birth of their daughter Elodie.

Giumelli, who is also mum to two-year-old daughter Sophie, is a successful model who is signed to Chic.

The 28-year-old has been honest about her struggles over the years, particularly relating to suffering from Crohn’s disease and Colitis.

Elodie was born four weeks premature and was hospitalised after being diagnosed with bronchitis as a newborn.

“We had one thing after another hit us (premmie, gastro, hospitalisation from bronchiolitis, reflux and feeding issues, all while trying to find somewhere to live),” Giumelli explained.

“In saying that now that we have found our routine and are in our home it’s fine. I love it. Some days are hard but they make me smile and I love them. Now if you threw a 3rd (child) I don’t think I would bat an eye lid our life is already chaotic so what’s one more.”

Tahlia Giumelli in hospital with Elodie.

Tahlia Giumelli in a campaign for Bras N Things.

It was Burgess who Giumelli first sought help from when she recognised she was suffering from postnatal depression.

“He could see I was struggling even though he was doing as much as he could to help and he suggested I get help,” Giumelli said. “I reached out to close friends and family. Finally after the Christmas holidays I was able to see my GP and he put me on medication and referral to see someone. It was a massive sigh of relief to be finally get the help I knew I needed and once things calmed down I did feel so much better. I knew the signs and I knew my kids needed me and I needed help.”

Giumelli added that it had taken her a while to speak about as she had “wanted to focus on it privately and in my own time”.

Tom Burgess and Tahlia Giumelli with their 6 month old daughter Sophie and dog Ted. Picture: Tim Hunter.

“I am on medication but will slowly be coming off that with the help of a GP,” she said.

“For me getting back to the gym was really important for my mental health, I love it. It’s me time. Tom has the kids and I go in the evening and that helped me more than anything else. I do believe physical exercise is the best for mental health. When I started talking about it I didn’t realise how many of us mums have gone through this. It’s much more common than you think.”

Meanwhile, Giumelli and Burgess are planning their upcoming wedding, which they want to be “low key”.

“We genuinely just want a private and intimate day with our friends and family. Nothing more. But I do promise. I’ll share all the details once it’s over. Ps our guests don’t even know where the venue is.”