The 52-year-old who was her own daughter's surrogate says she experienced postpartum depression after giving birth to her granddaughter

Anneta KonstantinidesApr 20, 2021, 20:04 IST

Breanna Lockwood and Julie Loving are opening up about surrogacy postpartum depression. Loving gave birth to her granddaughter are volunteering to be her daughter's surrogate.Rachel Langlois Photography

Breanna Lockwood and her mother Julie Loving are opening up about surrogacy postpartum depression.
Loving, 51, gave birth to her granddaughter after volunteering to be Lockwood's surrogate.
She felt postpartum depression and anxiety symptoms for four weeks after the delivery.

When Julie Loving, 52, gave birth to her own granddaughter last year after volunteering to be her daughter's surrogate, she made headlines around the world.

Lockwood and Loving shortly after the delivery. Breanna Lockwood

Loving gave birth to her granddaughter Briar on November 2.

Briar is now five months old. Breanna Lockwood/Instagram

Loving's third pregnancy hadn't been all that different from when she carried her own children more than 20 years prior.

Loving was pregnant throughout the pandemic. Breanna Lockwood

On the delivery day, Loving went to the hospital for a scheduled induction. But halfway through labor, doctors decided she needed a C-section.

Loving and Lockwood with their husbands. Breanna Lockwood

While the C-section was a success, Lockwood and Loving believe it may have contributed to Loving's postpartum anxiety and depression.

Loving shortly after giving birth to Briar. Breanna Lockwood/Instagram

Loving started experiencing postpartum anxiety and depression a few days after she came home from the hospital, which completely took her by surprise.

Loving said her postpartum anxiety and depression often left her in tears. Breanna Lockwood/Instagram

Loving also experienced intense hormone drops as they went back down to menopausal levels.

Loving said she experienced trauma from the delivery. Breanna Lockwood

Lockwood said it was incredibly tough to watch her mother go through postpartum depression.

Loving said it was "so hard watching my mom struggle." Breanna Lockwood

Loving's symptoms subsided after about four weeks, and she said she's feeling "so much better now."

Loving said she found natural ways to cope with her postpartum depression. Breanna Lockwood

Lockwood shared her mother's story on Instagram to help spread awareness about surrogacy postpartum depression to her 182,000 followers.

Lockwood doesn't believe surrogacy postpartum depression is talked about enough. Breanna Lockwood

Lockwood has been equally candid about her own experiences with infertility, and how it led to her mother volunteering to be her surrogate.

Lockwood has also used her Instagram to discuss her infertility struggles. Breanna Lockwood

After a year of trying to conceive on their own, the couple started fertility treatments.

Lockwood went through 476 IVF injections. Breanna Lockwood

After Lockwood had her second miscarriage in December 2018, Loving sent her daughter a text: "I really want to be your surrogate."

Loving easily passed the tests to become her daughter's surrogate. Breanna Lockwood

Loving said she has no regrets about being her daughter's surrogate.

Loving said she loves being a grandma. Breanna Lockwood

And Lockwood said the experience showed her how Loving is "the strongest person ever."

Lockwood said her mother is a huge inspiration. Rachel Langlois Photography

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