This Woman's Best Friend Adele Saved Her From A Terrifying Condition
Laura Dockrill's best friend, the singer Adele, knew something was wrong after the former had delivered her child. And she saved her life.
Unfortunately, giving birth does not always mean the end of pregnancy woes. For many women, complications can occur and sometimes, they can be life-threatening.
This was the case of Laura Dockrill. After giving birth to her son Jet, she was afflicted with a serious condition called postpartum psychosis but she would not have been aware of it, had she not Facetimed her best friend, who happens to be the world renowned singer Adele.
Laura hated herself
After delivering her son Jet, Laura's struggles started to manifest almost immediately. Having to feed her son for 24 hours straight deprived her of sleep and exponentially aggravated the symptoms.
The symptoms count paranoia, hallucinations, delusions and strange beliefs amidst others. It requires urgent help.
I was mostly naked, sweating, scratching, bleeding, unable to wash, feeding myself just to feed Jet, feral and sobbing. One day I fed him for 24 hours straight. The sleep deprivation can send you mad.
Laura Dockrill to The Sun
That's when the paranoia settled in. She began thinking that her stitches would split open and that the teddy bear in her room had surveillance cameras hidden in its eyes.
I was paranoid and thought everyone was conspiring against me.
Laura Dockrill
Three weeks after giving birth, she decided to call her longtime friend Adele to catch up.
Adele immediately saw something was wrong
The pair have been longtime friends. The singer happens to be the godmother of Laura's son. Adele even dedicated the song "My Same" from her debut album 19 to Laura and officiated Laura's wedding.
So when Laura Facetimed Adele, who is also a mother, the latter immediately noticed something was wrong with her childhood friend. Laura told her her she was being hypnotized by her father-in-law. The unusual statement raised a red flag. “Adele was so calm on the phone and told me to get some rest," Laura recalled.
But after the call ended, Adele decided to talk to Laura's husband. She notified him that his wife was in need of medical help, as she was suffering from postpartum psychosis.
She rang Hugo and explained she thought I was suffering from postpartum psychosis — and that it was classed as a medical emergency. Who knew she would know that? It was the night before Mother’s Day.
Laura Dockrill to The Sun
Laura and her husband went to the hospital, where she was indeed diagnosed with the condition. Unlike postpartum depression and anxiety, which are common in women who have given birth, postpartum psychosis only affects 1 in a 1000 women.
The road to recovery
After a two-week hospitalization, with the appropriate medication and regular follow-ups with a psychiatrist, Laura's condition improved.
It was a relief to tell the doctors about the paranoia, delusions and suicidal thoughts.
Laura Dockrill
Yet, it was a long way until full recovery, as Laura fell into depression. With her husband's help, she was able to get past it. “Hugo has been incredible. He has seen everything and still he stayed," she said.
And the experience, despite its terrifying ordeals, only made her family stronger. "These days, the three of us have an amazing relationship. We are such a tight unit," Laura said. "Being so ill has taught me to be patient and appreciative. Jet has responded to that. He’s well behaved and intuitive."
Laura has written a memoir called What Have I Done? which details her journey with mental health and motherhood. With it, she hopes to help other mothers and raise awareness to the serious nature of postpartum mental health conditions.
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Military Dad Defends His 4 Little Daughters When Strangers Make This Rude Remark
Military Dad of 4 Daughters Defends His Girls When Strangers Make This Rude Remark
Austin von Letkemann is the military officer strangers feel "sorry" for — and the reason is infuriating.
Whenever the devoted father leaves the house with his four children, strangers can't help but notice the officer in uniform is holding hands with 4 adorable little girls. They will tell the traditionally "masculine" and "all American" dad they feel sorry for him, because he has no sons. This dad makes one thing very clear: They are his daughters, they aren't a burden.
In a passionate video, von Letkemann took to Instagram to share with his followers that the only thing that's "difficult" about being a girl dad — is clapping back to these sexist remarks over and over again.
They Mock His Daughters To Their Face
When strangers approach Austin von Letkemann and his four daughters, they don't always realize that their comments are being overheard. They seem oblivious to the fact that his girls understand every word. Von Letkemann describes how people will approach him and, without thinking, make remarks like "I'm sorry" or even joke about his lack of sons. What they don't realize is that these comments, intended to be light-hearted or humorous, can be deeply hurtful to his daughters. These strangers are not just disrespecting von Letkemann's choices as a father; they're also sending a message to his daughters that their presence is something to be pitied. It’s a message that von Letkemann won't stand for, and he's speaking out to defend his girls from these insensitive remarksSaying "Get Your Shotgun" Isn't Funny — It's Sexist
Another common comment that Austin von Letkemann encounters is the old "better get your shotgun ready" trope, often delivered with a smirk or a wink. This line is typically intended to suggest that a father with daughters should be on high alert to protect them from potential "suitors," implying that they are objects to be guarded rather than individuals with agency.
Von Letkemann finds this line of thinking outdated and sexist. In his viral Instagram video, he points out that these jokes are not just stale — they're damaging.
By suggesting that his daughters require armed protection, the joke reinforces the idea that women are inherently vulnerable and need to be shielded from men. Von Letkemann argues that instead of promoting this narrative, society should focus on teaching respect and consent, challenging these sexist tropes at their source.
Watch Austin von Letkemann's Video:
"If I Had A Fifth Child, I'd HOPE It Was A Girl" — One Dad's Message For Other Parents
Despite the constant remarks about his lack of sons, Austin von Letkemann is clear: He wouldn't trade his daughters for anything.
In fact, he told his Instagram followers that if he were to have a fifth child, he would hope for another girl. This declaration isn't just about doubling down on his pride in his family — it's a pointed response to those who see fathering daughters as a misfortune.
Von Letkemann's stance is a powerful one, rejecting the notion that a family is incomplete without sons. He encourages others to question the assumptions behind these comments and to appreciate the joy and fulfillment that his daughters bring. By sharing his story, von Letkemann hopes to create a more inclusive perspective on fatherhood, one that values daughters just as much as sons.