And this isn’t just the case for new mothers and fathers, it’s a wide-ranging problem. The intern struggling in a new city. The CEO drowning under pressure.The junior doctor overwhelmed by patient volumes.

When did it stop being ok

Today’s mums are particularly susceptible to suffering in silence because motherhood is positioned (wrongly) as something that women should be naturally good at. And anything less than perfect is perceived (wrongly) as failure. Having been in control of a thriving career, successful relationship, and enviable social life, it’s quite a shock to suddenly feel like the rug has been pulled from underneath your Louboutins (who I am kidding, I’ve never owned Louboutins. Converse just didn’t have the same punch)

For

1. When you are still in your PJs at the end of the day

When you are going whole days without finding 10 minutes to take a shower or leave the house, it’s time for a break. Grab somebody you trust, hand them the baby/toddler and leave the house. Go for a walk. A coffee. A large gin and tonic. Put your headphones in. Read a magazine. Your child will be ok. It’s only an hour.

2. When you can’t remember the last time you ate something green.

After Maya was born, my husband and I lived on takeaways and finger food. The beige diet. And it made me feel even lower on energy (if possible), even more guilty, and horribly unhealthy. Ask somebody to cook you a nutritious meal. Something with veggies. That must be eaten with a knife and fork.

3. When you need to charge your phone more than once a day

You are spending too long with Google and Instagram. Likely driving yourself insane by flicking between picture perfect images and one in a million diagnoses. Put down your phone.

4. When you feel yourself becoming angry with your baby

This one is tough. Who wants to admit they need help because they almost lost it with the baby? Nobody. But the truth? We have all been there. I promise. There is not a single mother out there who has not wanted to scream at their baby at some point. So, call a fellow mum. Call your mum. There will be no judgement, because

5. When you are crying over Love Island and cat ads

Motherhood spells an emotional roller-coaster of course. But Dr Alex’s situation isn’t that bad. If you are crying for no good reason at all, it’s time to call in the cavalry. You may just need a nap, or a hug, or a shoulder to cry on, or you may need a friend to tell you that you need a little more help – and that’s ok.

Asking for these things may feel like a huge imposition. But that’s because you are crazy with hormones and desperate to appear to