Emily Atack Opens Up About Post-Birth Health Battle and Weight Loss Journey
Emily Atack, star of Rivals and former Inbetweeners actress, has opened up about a challenging health battle following the birth of her first child. The 36-year-old welcomed her son Barney with fiancé Dr Alistair Garner in June 2024, but shortly after faced a severe health scare due to sepsis, leaving her unable to leave her home for several weeks .
Speaking to Grazia magazine, Emily revealed that her difficult pregnancy and subsequent illness had led to dramatic changes in her body. “I was mocked for being overweight while pregnant, and now I’m being criticised for losing weight,” she said. She stressed that her body carries both trauma and joy, adding: “I went through a very hard pregnancy… I was very ill after giving birth. I had sepsis and couldn’t leave the house for weeks. It was awful”
Emily shared that the illness contributed to her weight loss, but she faced online speculation suggesting she used weight-loss injections to achieve her slimmer figure. She addressed the pressures women face to conform to body expectations post-pregnancy, saying, “Women’s bodies change constantly. I’m just tired of having to explain it all the time.”
Despite the challenges, Emily has embraced motherhood, posting heartwarming black-and-white photos of herself, Alistair, and baby Barney. She said she has avoided rushing back to the gym and is focusing instead on enjoying early parenthood. “There’s something liberating about having a baby. Your body goes through so many changes and you really see it as a completely different being,” she explained during a podcast with Jamie Laing in November 2024 .
Emily and Alistair are planning to marry in September after becoming engaged in July last year, marking the next chapter in their family journey .
From health battles to public scrutiny over her body, Emily Atack’s candid discussion highlights the physical and emotional challenges of motherhood, while celebrating the joys of welcoming her first child into the world.
