Michelle Hardwick, who has played the character since 2012, told BT.com that her character is feeling “massive guilt” about her premature baby’s birth.
The actress explained: “She's not been able to touch Johnny, hold him to her, and she's just not coping at all right now.
“I think she feels very guilty, she sort of blames herself – like it's her fault he came early.
“She's blaming herself that she couldn't look after him whilst he was inside her, so she's carrying a huge, huge amount of guilt.”
Unfortunately, like so many other mothers in the same position, Vanessa feels too ashamed and scared to seek help.
“She’s feeling numb, and it's scaring the heck out of her,” admits 39-year-old Michelle.
“She's definitely showing signs of post-natal depression after the research that I've done, and I spoke to a few women that have had it.”
Vanessa is, meanwhile, struggling with her feelings about her little boy’s father - particularly as she is convinced that the baby is Adam’s.
However, as fans of the ITV soap already know, Kirin is actually Johnny’s true father.
Rakesh doctored the DNA test results to keep it a secret – which has driven a wedge between his son and Vanessa.
As a result, Kirin is focusing on his new life with Bella Dingle.
And it's breaking Vanessa's heart.
“She's bumping into them, seeing that they're making a go of things, and deep down inside, it is hurting her, because she still does love Kirin,” Michelle confesses.
“He was around for the birth, and he was looking after her.”
But could the truth about Johnny’s parentage come out sooner rather than later?
"We've got that massive reveal to come," Michelle Hardwick said at the Inside Soap Awards. "Adam's not the father of my baby, Kirin is."
Will Vanessa get the help she needs to handle her post-natal depression? And how will Kirin handle the news that he’s the real father of Michelle’s baby?
Emmerdale continues on weeknights on ITV.