Jen Affleck reveals prenatal depression battle during fourth pregnancy

Reality star says support from loved ones helped her through toughest first trimester while raising three children

Jen Affleck has candidly opened up about experiencing prenatal depression again as she prepares to welcome her fourth child, revealing that this pregnancy has been her most difficult emotional journey yet.

The The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives star shared an emotional Instagram post, explaining that prenatal depression returned after she became pregnant with baby No 4. Affleck, 27, said the condition felt significantly heavier than it had during a previous pregnancy and admitted her mental health reached frightening lows during the first trimester.

 

 

 

 

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"Prenatal depression came back this pregnancy. Only this time, it came back even heavier," she wrote alongside a series of personal photographs and videos documenting moments from recent months.

Affleck explained that her mind went to "some really dark places," adding that the experience left her frightened. She said coping with pregnancy while relocating to a new state and continuing to care for her three young children often felt overwhelming.

The reality television personality also described depression as an isolating experience, explaining that many days felt almost impossible as she tried to balance family responsibilities while struggling internally.

Despite those challenges, Affleck said she gradually found comfort through the support of people around her. Friends, family members and even strangers unknowingly helped carry her through one of the hardest periods of her life.

She wrote that their kindness reminded her she was never truly facing the darkness alone, even during moments when she could not see a way forward herself. While stressing that depression is never something she considers beautiful, Affleck said the experience encouraged her to slow down, ask deeper questions and appreciate the importance of asking for help instead of pretending everything was fine.

"I do believe God can bring beauty from it," she wrote, adding that she hopes speaking honestly about her experience will help someone else who may be struggling silently.

Affleck and her husband, Zac Affleck, announced last month that they are expecting their fourth child together. They are already parents to daughter Nora, 4, son Luca, 2, and daughter Penelope, who was born in July 2025.

Her social media post quickly received messages of encouragement from fellow The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives cast members. Jessi Draper commented, "Love you!! You got this," while Mayci Neely also shared her support and praised Affleck for her openness.

Affleck later expanded on her recovery in Instagram Stories, explaining that allowing herself to experience difficult emotions instead of avoiding them has been an important part of her healing process. She said slowing down and remaining present has ultimately made this pregnancy emotionally challenging but also deeply transformative.

This is not the first time Affleck has discussed her mental health publicly. During the reunion for season two of The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives, which aired in July 2025, she revealed she had experienced prenatal depression while pregnant with Penelope. At the time, she disclosed that she had also struggled with suicidal thoughts and described that period as one of the hardest chapters of her life.

Looking back, Affleck said much of that time remains a blur because she was simply trying to survive each day. She credited the love and support she eventually received with helping her continue through an extraordinarily difficult period.