Home and Away's Sam Frost opens up about 'difficult' pregnancy

Former Home and Away star Sam Frost and Survivor's Jordie Hansen announced their pregnancy on Sunday night through song.

While their post was full of joy, Sam has now opened up in a personal essay about how her first trimester has been ‘incredibly difficult’ for her.

In an effort to spark conversation surrounding mental health, social media and pregnancy, the former Bachelorette penned an essay called ‘Before 12 weeks’ on her Believe by Sam Frost website.

“I have to admit, the first trimester was incredibly difficult for me, mentally and physically,” she told fans. “I wasn’t prepared for how taxing pregnancy would be on my mental health.”

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The star says that she shared her pregnancy news with close friends and family before she reached 12 weeks, when the risk of miscarriage drops significantly.

“I told all my close girlfriends, gayfriends and family pretty much as soon as I tested positive on an at-home test. I was too excited to keep it a secret.

“I am so glad I did, because once the symptoms kicked in (around six weeks) my mental health quickly deteriorated,” she wrote.

The former radio host detailed the pregnancy symptoms that have plagued her, saying that she has essentially been ‘bedridden’ for two months.

Sam was ‘throwing up constantly’, and felt guilty after having to stop working sooner than the couple had hoped.

With her fiancé Jordie for support, she was able to focus on getting well while he took care of everything else.

“I feel so far from the person I was. Before pregnancy I was fit, healthy, full of energy, keen for adventures, financially stable and always giggling my head off. Now all I can stomach is Vegemite toast. I sleep literally the entire day,” she wrote.

Now at 15 weeks, the star says her thoughts have turned to other women who aren’t in the same ’privileged position’ as her.

“I wrote this because while I was going through the worst of it, I felt so alone. Social media glamourises pregnancy. No one talks about the ugly truth…for some people the first trimester is mentally and physically challenging,” she wrote.

Sam continues, saying that she’s not looking for ‘sympathy or attention’. Instead, she wants to make sure that people ask for help if they’re struggling with mental health issues.

Mental health support for yourself or a loved one can be found by calling Lifeline on 13 11 14, Mensline on 1300 789 978, or Kids Helpline on 1800 551 800. Online support is available via Beyond Blue.

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