Dr. Nicole Martin is not returning to “The Real Housewives of Miami” as a full-time cast member due to her battle with postpartum anxiety after welcoming her second child.
Days after Page Six exclusively reported that there were murmurs she would be exiting the Bravo reality show entirely, Martin took to social media to clarify why she has been absent from filming Season 7.
“On March 26th, we proudly welcomed our daughter, baby Genevieve, arriving 5 weeks ahead of schedule and spending almost 2 weeks in the NICU,” she began a lengthy Instagram statement Friday.
The Bravolebrity, 39, shared that she started to suffer from “significant postpartum anxiety,” which she had not experienced after her previous pregnancy with her 5-year-old son, Greyson.
“It all started about a week after giving birth when I found myself having an overwhelming sense of worry and fear out of nowhere,” she recalled. “It felt like my mind was constantly on high alert, panicked and worrying endlessly about the health of my baby, myself, and my family.”
As she is learning how to navigate the “emotional rollercoaster,” Martin said she decided not to return to “RHOM” full-time.
“Prioritizing my health and my family is something I need to do at this moment. It’s a step towards healing and finding balance, and I hope you can understand and support this choice,” she told fans.
The board-certified anesthesiologist, who joined the cast in 2021 after Peacock renewed the series, said she chose to come forward about her struggles to raise awareness about mental health.
“Postpartum anxiety is more common than we hear about, and it’s crucial that we talk openly about it,” she wrote.
“[One] in 5 mothers experience mental health disorders during or after pregnancy, with most issues going unreported and untreated.”
She continued, “By sharing our experiences, we can offer each other comfort and strength, and remind one another that we’re not alone.”
Martin thanked her fans for being supportive and for creating a safe space where she felt comfortable enough to open up about her personal life.
“I hope that my openness can help others who might be struggling and encourage us all to support one another through our most challenging times,” she concluded her caption.
Martin and her fiancé, Anthony Lopez, welcomed their daughter earlier than expected in March.
They had their first child in February 2019.
