Down Came the Rain - My Journey Through Postpartum Depression Description:

Down Came the Rain : My Journey Through Postpartum Depression review:
4 stars (Rainy days) - Despite the misinformed rantings of people like Tom Cruise, clinical depression is a terrible and widespread problem. The best description I've heard yet is that it's a cancer of the soul. And of all the types, postpartum depression is perhaps the most neglected -- some people don't even know it exists, let alone how it should be treated.



That is the heart of Brooke Shields' memoir "Down Came the Rain: My Journey Through Postpartum Depression." This is not a glitzy showbiz autobiography, but a wrenching look at one woman's struggle to have a baby, and then to regain her own happiness.



In 2001, Shields married producer/writer Chris Henchy, and soon they were trying for a baby. But because of cervical scarring, getting pregnant was difficult, and despite all the people prattling about adoption and relaxation, Shields and Henchy tried in vitro fertilization (IVF), and after a traumatic miscarriage, finally had a baby girl.



But baby Rowan was less than a day old when Shields began feeling depression and anxiety attacks. Initially she chalked this up to the difficult C-section birth and the newness of the experience, but her feelings continued over the months that followed. Though she tried to tackle her postpartum depression by herself, the help of friends and the drug Paxil were what brought her back out of the pit.



The first fifty pages of "Down Came the Rain" make it seem like this will be an up-and-down story, with generous amounts of self-deprecating humour. Shields lightens the mood with humour and a willingness to reveal her unflattering or goofy thoughts, such as thinking about those chest-bursting scenes from "Alien" during a C-section.



But after that, a grimmer tone takes over the book. Shields' detailed descriptions of her torment, doubts and increasingly deteriorated life are almost harrowing, as well as her description of how she couldn't even connect with her newborn daughter. It's exhilarating when she finally beats the postpartum depression and relearns how to enjoy herself with her husband and child.



An obvious motive is sprinkled through the story: Anyone who finds themselves in a similar position should get help, and get it right away. The afterword is basically devoted to that, and includes some phone numbers and websites to check out. Kudos to Shields for not keeping it just about her, but about all women with that problem.



Perhaps the book is best summed up by the only two photographs of Shields. On the cover, we see her looking sad and lonely. But by the end of the book (specifically, the back flap), she's joyously kissing her smiling daughter.
2 stars (Missed Opportunity) - The author missed a wonderful opportunity to explore the problem of post-partum depression in this tired recitiation of her problem pregnancy. She presents as a spoiled and self-centered young woman, more concerned with regaining her figure and resuscitating her career, than addressing the issues effecting her ability to mother.



The book is written in a formulamatic term paper style and the author is quite protective of her reputation. Her attempts at humor fall flat and her insight is minimal. It is hard to fathom that a person who graduated from Princeton University would discontinue medication without consulting her small squadron of doctors.



While I understand that persons grappling with fertility issues often prefer to undergo many trying and frequently unsuccessful treatments rather than adopt a child already here and in need of a loving home, I find it difficult to empathize. Parenthood is of the heart,not a biological imperative. The same people who gaily adopt pets from shelters would prefer to subject themselves to all manner of physical intrusion to have a child that shares the same genes. This, particuarly after Ms. Shields graphic description of her delivery by C-section, is hard to fathom. The body has wisdom, if you cannot reproduce, there may be a reason and forcing the issue is going to have an impact physcially and emotionally.



Post partum depression is a serious and troubling disorder. If Ms. Shield's account minimizes the stigma to any degree that is a positive. However, this shallow report is slim on information and insight.
5 stars (Helped me alot) - I was on bedrest for two months in hospital before birth of my first son in March. He was in NICU for 3 weeks. It was horrible. I suffered from post partum for almost 5 months before getting help just recently after I aw Brooke on Oprah. I wasn't as bad as she was but I went to my doctor and now I go to counseling and it helps.