Lele Pons Says She Felt ‘Out of Control’ After Stopping Mental Health Medication While Pregnant

Lele Pons, the renowned influencer and musician, opened up about her challenging journey through pregnancy and motherhood during a recent episode of The Squeeze podcast with host Tay Lautner. The 30-year-old shared her personal experiences regarding mental health and the complexities of motherhood, particularly in relation to her struggles with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD).

Pons detailed how she had to stop her mental health medication upon discovering she was pregnant. She found out about her pregnancy in early March while in Las Vegas, just two months after ceasing her birth control methods. This unexpected turn of events led her to take a pregnancy test after experiencing sudden nausea, revealing that she was four weeks along.

The influencer, who welcomed her daughter Eloísa in July, candidly described her pregnancy as “very hard,” primarily due to the abrupt cessation of her medication. Pons disclosed that she had been on medication for her OCD symptoms since the age of 10, making the transition away from her prescribed treatment particularly tough.

Speaking with Lautner, Pons described her mental health state during her pregnancy, noting that it was “horrible” and that her family and friends remarked on how unrecognisable she had become. “I was a different person. I was an unbalanced person,” she said, explaining that her OCD symptoms intensified, causing her to feel out of control for the first time in her life.

The musician also reflected on her therapy sessions, which she felt were no longer beneficial during her pregnancy. Pons highlighted the overwhelming nature of her condition, articulating the struggle of navigating significant mental health challenges while expecting a child.

Body image was also a prominent topic as Pons discussed the weight gain she experienced during her pregnancy, having gained 50 pounds. Challenging societal expectations, she remarked, “I don’t like when people say the normal is this. No. No. No. The normal is whatever happens. We’re all different.” Pons stressed the importance of embracing diverse experiences and bodies during such a transformative time.

Despite the hardships she faced over the course of her pregnancy, Pons emphasised that the ultimate reward outweighed the difficulties. “It’s crazy how when [the baby’s] out, you don’t care about your body, nothing,” she said, expressing a profound change in perspective once her daughter arrived. She noted that the focus shifted entirely to ensuring the health and wellbeing of her newborn.

Lele Pons, who is married to Puerto Rican rapper Guaynaa, shared the joy of welcoming Eloísa with the world via an Instagram post shortly after her birth, showcasing touching images of their family. Their journey to parenthood began when they first announced the pregnancy in a joint Instagram post in March, following the couple’s rise to prominence as collaborators on the track “Se Te Nota” back in September 2020.

The couple’s relationship blossomed over the years, with their affection becoming more public as they shared moments together on social media. They became official in December 2020, and after years of dating, they tied the knot in March 2023.

Lele Pons’s openness regarding her mental health struggles, the trials of pregnancy, and the transition into motherhood adds to the ongoing conversation about mental health disparities faced by mothers. Her insights serve as a reminder of the importance of empathy and support for those navigating similar journeys, regardless of their backgrounds or public personas.