Down Came the Rain: My Journey Through Postpartum Depression

Having gone through post-partum depression following the birth of my second son and again now with my third, I had high hopes for this book. I expected it to make me feel like I wasn't alone. While it did help me understand that I wasn't alone, I didn't feel connected as I had expected. Her journey through post-partum depression was nothing like mine and it was hard for me to understand where she was coming from. I do however really appreciate that she wrote thios book.

It's hard to express how difficult it is to feel so unhappy following the birth of a child, something that should be a joyous time. This is a very important book and while I personally didn't connect with her, I feel that it is something all pregnant women should read if show more only so that the learn that PPD isn't something to be ashamed off, that it is treatable, and that if they do experience it that they are not alone. show less

Ms. Shields is very forthcoming about her battle with PPD. I liked her honesty, and her writing style is easy to read. The story does drag a bit near the end - after a certain point it's not so much about PPD as it is about balancing motherhood and her career, which wasn't as interesting to me since her career is so different than my own. But overall it was an enlightening read.

"For me, becoming a mother also means that I feel happier than I could imagine and more sad than I thought possible. None of this indicates that I am crazy or in any way abnormal. Basically I am just more alive and present in my own life than I ever remember being." Shields

In her autobiography Down Came the Rain: My Journey Through Postpartum Depression, Brooke Shields describes the difficulties she and her husband had conceiving a child, the many failed in-vitro fertilization attempts, a horribly painful miscarriage, and the unplanned emergency c-section she underwent. After years of yearning for a child and struggling with infertility, Shields finally brought home a beautiful baby girl only to discover that she had walked into her own show more horror movie and she was the star. This is a touching memoir of how Shields came to terms with her depression and how she pulled herself out of it. The story is inspiring and reassuring to anyone who has ever been through or knows anyone who has suffered from postpartum depression.

p.s. I have to add that this book is what made me get help for PPD and I am so very thankful that Shields came forward with her story--and luckily just in time for me to get the help I needed. show less

This was a very poignant telling of the struggles of post-partum depression suffered by Shields during the birth of her daughter. It also highlights the struggles of bringing the realities of PPD to the mainstream and helping it become an accepted and REAL problem for many women. Very truthful and brutally honest story of the struggles of Ms. Shields and the realities of post-partum depression in its' many forms.

I really enjoyed the story behind Brooke's book, but did not enjoy the writing as much. The writing left something to be desired, but Brooke's story did not. This is the story of her battle with post partum depression and a graphic one it was at that. As someone who suffered from post partum depression and continues to suffer from acute depression I have to say that what Brooke describes is all to realistic and it is harrowing that she does so.

I don't know what I expected from this book but it was quite good. I could relate to some of her feelings. I had them a bit with my 2nd child. I applaud her for writing this book and being so open and honest about things. I was suprised at how much I liked her. She doesn't come across as a woman that has been priveleged all her life.

This is a quick read. The writing is a bit simplistic, but the intentions are fantastic and I love that it brings mental disorders (Post partum depression (PPD), specifically) front and center. I like that Brooke Shields as a celebrity was willing to share just how hard it was to cope with the (common!) depression that she had after giving birth.

In the book she continually reiterates that there is no one to blame for PPD and just because no one talks about it, it's nothing to be ashamed of, ,doesn't mean that it's not real and more importantly, treatable.

As far as a mother I had a hard time relating to the book, as I had no trouble conceiving (she speaks of her battle with getting pregnant and in vitro fertilization). I did not show more experience PPD (probably because I remained on my psycho-tropic medications through my pregnancy). Also, I did not experience the guilt of going back to 'work' (school in my case). Additionally, I was very well educated on PPD and medications related to it because of my previous battles with depression. But she talks of all these things candidly and encourages mothers that the feelings are normal and there is no shame in getting help - in fact getting help is the best thing that you can do for your new baby and family.

Great message. show less