Doireann Garrihy opens up about the pressure to ‘bounce back’ from pregnancy

"I have no massive intention to do any big bounce back."

The 2FM presenter admitted it's "next to impossible" to have a career in media and not feel insecure at times and confessed she was quite glad to have taken some time off from social media to fully focus on parenting without any distractions from her work.

Doireann and her husband Mark Mehigan welcomed their first child together last October and have been open about her pregnancy and parenting journey on Instagram, which, according to Doireann, makes her feel “so normal.”

"I think it's next to impossible to be in the media without being insecure about the way you present. Especially after a baby, too," the mum of one admitted.

"I have no massive intention to do any big 'bounce back', that awful term that people use.

"I am really glad that I've taken this time, and all I had to do was focus on her, and I have been really grateful that I've been able to do that.

"It's not necessarily easy to do that in this industry, because you do sort of go, 'I'd better get back on air, or back to podcasting,' but I just decided to say no.

"There was also so much unknown because of the fact that it was my first baby.

"I have been very honest about much of my pregnancy and postpartum journey on Instagram, and I've been very lucky that I have such a great following of people willing to engage with me there.

"It makes me feel so normal, that regardless of if you are in the media or not, everyone feels that same pressure, and it's ridiculous – we shouldn't. All that matters at the moment is Rosie."

Speaking to the Irish Independent, Doireann said that while she doesn’t share every detail of motherhood on social media, she has gained a lot from what she has shared.

"I think if I wanted to keep things to myself I would have, but there was so much to gain from being open and honest," she said.

"It does feel like a little weight off my shoulders every time I do share something.

"I did a Q&A one night about breastfeeding and had been dodging the question because it's such a hot topic. I didn't understand before having Rosie.

"I was open about the fact that I am struggling with it, that I'm doing it, but am also pumping and exhausted. It was the biggest reaction I've ever got on Instagram and it was really mixed."

The Dancing With The Stars host went on to say that since becoming a mum she has felt her happiest in the simplest moments.

"There have been so many simple moments since the birth of my baby," Doireann said.

"Being in the kitchen with her making a coffee, having nowhere to be and knowing no one is going to call. Seeing her change so fast and trying to soak up every moment has been amazing."