‘The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives’ star has previously opened up about experiencing prenatal depression when she was expecting her daughter Penelope, who was born in July 2025
Credit: Jennifer Affleck/Instagram; Matt Winkelmeyer – FIFA/FIFA via Getty
NEED TO KNOW
- Jen Affleck shared that she is experiencing prenatal depression while expecting baby number four
- The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives star has previously opened up about dealing with prenatal depression and said this time has felt “heavier”
- She and husband Zac Affleck are already parents to Nora, 4, Luca, 2, and Penelope, who was born in July 2025
Jen Affleck has opened up about experiencing prenatal depression during her pregnancy with baby number four.
On Thursday, July 23, The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives star, 27, shared in an Instagram post that her “prenatal depression came back this pregnancy. Only this time, it came back even heavier.”
Jen announced that she and her husband, Zac Affleck, were expecting their fourth child last month.
The Dancing with the Stars alum went on to explain that her mind had gone to “some really dark places” during her first trimester, adding that the experience “scared” her.
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“And if you’ve ever experienced depression, you know how isolating it can feel. Add moving to a new state, being pregnant, and trying to show up for your kids, and some days felt impossible,” she continued.
Jen then shared that “something beautiful happened in the middle of all of it,” adding that “people showed up.”
“Friends, family, strangers… people who had no idea how much they were carrying me just by being there. They reminded me that even when I couldn’t see the light, I wasn’t walking through the darkness alone,” she continued. “I’m trying to count my blessings, even on the days it’s hard.”
“I don’t believe depression is beautiful. It’s painful, confusing, and exhausting. But I do believe God can bring beauty from it,” Jen explained, adding that it has made her “ask deeper questions” and made her “slow down.”
“It has reminded me what really matters. It has taught me that strength sometimes looks like asking for help instead of pretending you’re okay,” she continued.
“I don’t have all the answers yet. But I do know this: I’m here to love deeply. To raise my babies. To tell the truth about the hard parts. And if sharing my story helps even one person feel less alone, then every vulnerable conversation has been worth it. If you’re quietly fighting a battle no one else can see, I’m so glad you’re still here. 🤍,” Jen concluded.
“Love you!! You got this ❤️❤️❤️,” wrote her SLOMW costar Jessi Draper in the comments section, while Mayci Neely added, “Love you jennnnny!! Also you look so 🔥 in that green dress omg 😍.”
Jen’s caption accompanied a series of snaps and clips of her lying in bed, including a selfie where she looked teary, spending time with her children, holding a positive pregnancy test and being filmed during a confessional. It was unclear if she was filming for SLOMW or its new spinoff — The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives: Orange County — which Jen confirmed she was a cast member on in April.
On her Instagram Stories, Jen explained what has helped her through her prenatal depression this time, sharing that she’s been “slowing down, staying present, and allowing myself to actually feel the pain & numbness instead of running from it.”
Credit: Jennifer Affleck/Instagram
“It’s been much harder, but it’s also been the most healing,” she added.
She and husband Zac are already parents to three children: Nora, 4, Lucas “Luca” Lowell, 2, and Penelope, whose birth was announced in July 2025.
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Last year, Jen opened up about experiencing suicidal ideation while filming season 2 of SLOMW.
Talking about her decision to take a pause from filming at the show’s season 2 reunion, which aired in July 2025, Jen shared that she’s “doing way better now.”
“I dealt with something that a lot of pregnant women deal with, which is prenatal depression. And unfortunately, I had to go through that during what was also one of the hardest seasons of my life,” she explained.
“Looking back and thinking about all of season 2, to be honest, it’s a bit of a blur just because I was barely surviving. And I dealt with a lot of suicide ideation. It’s really hard to talk about, but that was definitely one of the hardest times of life, and I felt like I couldn’t turn to anyone,” she continued.
Credit: Zac Affleck/Instgram
Jen added that her feelings were intensified by her pregnancy, also explaining that didn’t want anyone to feel responsible for what she was going through.
“Your body’s going through so many changes, and to be honest, I’m just grateful for all of the love and support I did receive during that time because without it, I don’t know where I’d be today,” she said.
If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health challenges, emotional distress, substance use problems, or just needs to talk, call or text 988, or chat at 988lifeline.org 24/7.
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