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Brooke Shields has starred in many feature films, including "Pretty Baby," "Blue Lagoon," and "Black and White." She earned critical acclaim on Broadway for "The Vagina Monologues," and "Cabaret," among other shows. She earned a People's Choice Award and a Golden Globe nomination for Best Actress in a Comedy Series for "Suddenly Susan." Brooke continues to lend aid to issues involving children's welfare and education, and has established "Hands of Change," an organization which benefits young women.
Brooke Shields: I feel too young to write a memoir of my life, especially because I feel my life is just now becoming even more interesting and I have so much further to go in my career and in my personal life. This subject, however, became unavoidable to me, and after having experienced it so dramatically, I felt the need to share how I was altered and how those close to me were affected. It did not stem so much from a desire for catharsis as it did from an obligation to help others by shining a harsh light on the reality of PPD [postpartum depression] in my life. My longtime friend and past agent urged me to tell my story, and I found my own reasons for choosing to do so. This is a subject that is too often pushed aside or rationalized away. So many are affected, and still there is such a taboo surrounding it that many suffer in silence. I wanted to take the mute button off.
B&N.com: Do you feel your difficulties in getting pregnant contributed to postpartum depression?
BS: I feel a great deal of my PPD was exacerbated by the trials I endured just trying to get pregnant. However many non-IVF [in vitro fertilization] or at-risk mothers suffer from the same symptoms. The medication and hormone treatment I underwent helped throw my system off balance, and the failed attempts depressed me as well. But I know many moms who got pregnant naturally and had easy deliveries that experience similar emotions to those I describe in the book.
B&N.com: How was your pregnancy? Did you feel it was easier or harder than average?
BS: My pregnancy was easy and actually quite uneventful. I had carpal tunnel syndrome rather severely towards the end of the third trimester, but I had no morning sickness and didn't even gain an excessive amount of weight. I had an easier-than-average pregnancy and went full term.
B&N.com: Your father, with whom you were so close, died just before Rowan was born. In addition, you moved apartments and had a very difficult delivery. These are three enormous stressors occurring at the same time. How do you think these experiences affected you?
BS: In hindsight, my father's death, my move, and my frightening and difficult delivery created a tremendous amount of stress, pain, and sadness for me. These events added to my depression, but because I then experienced PPD, I was practically devastated beyond recovery. However, the feelings I was conscious of revolved around my being a mother, having had a baby, my baby herself, and the monumental change that resulted from giving birth. I believe even if my dad hadn't passed away or we hadn't moved I would have still experienced PPD. The chemistry in my system had been so altered during delivery (as well as during two years of IVF) that even without the emotional and psychological traumas, I was in line for depression.
B&N.com: In your book, you discuss your evolving relationship with your mother, and how you've made peace. Can you tell us about that and her role in your life today?
BS: My mom is in love with her granddaughter and wants to spend as much time with her as she can. She has not been my manager since the very early '90s, and we have no working relationship. We speak many times a week and see each other quite often. She lives on the East Coast permanently, and I go back and forth between the two coasts. Being a mother has given my own mom and me a common ground.
B&N.com: Can you talk about the stigma many women seem to feel regarding postpartum depression?
BS: PPD causes one to feel so ashamed and desolate that it is very difficult to admit to. There is such a stigma around not being attached to your baby and happy with motherhood. The image has been ingrained in our minds and our culture, and any picture less than an ideal one seems to be cause for shame.
B&N.com: How did being part of "Hollywood" affect your ability to function within your depression?
BS: I don't believe Hollywood had any affect on my ability to function (or not function) within my depression. Almost all of the women I spoke to about their PPD were not in the movie and television business. The biggest pressure I felt was to power through to "happiness" for those closest to me. This was of course not possible or realistic. PPD seemed to erase the concept of Hollywood and level the field and unify all women.
B&N.com: What do you hope this book will do for women, and the people who love them, who suffer from postpartum depression?
BS: I hope this book will help new moms not feel alone or desperate, and that there is no shame in their feelings. PPD is out of their control, but the treatment and healing process is not. There is help and it works. For those who love women affected by PPD, I hope this book will shed light on a very upsetting and confusing affliction. I hope it will help them feel less hopeless and supported by knowledge of available treatments. They also need to know that PPD is also something they can't fix on their own.
B&N.com: Do you have any advice for doctors who speak to women after they've given birth? They may know what to look for medically, but what kind of questions might they ask a woman who's not sure what's wrong with her?
BS: Speak to the women before they give birth. Say to them that after birth, if they should feel unconnected, or depressed, hopeless, or unusually sad, that they should inform their doctor ASAP. Especially if the feelings don't go away after a few days. The families, husbands, partners need to have someone to call to ask questions and also provide knowledge and help from the professionals who are treating the mom. A follow-up on the psychological progress of the mom is necessary. The psychological questions need to be as important as the medical/physical ones with regard to the healing period.
B&N.com: Tell us about Rowan -- how old is she now, and what makes her happy?
BS: My baby girl, Rowan, is the delight of my life. Every day brings new surprises in her growth. She loves music and dancing and would eat "eggies" for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. She squeals at the sight of our dog, Darla, and has to be the one to feed her, saying, "Wait, wait, okay!" She loves kissing her dad's face all over and smushing her cheeks against mine repeatedly before saying goodbye. She has a favorite blanket called a "cachcach" and likes any drink with ice in it. She prefers "cold water" in the shower and sink and adores "wash hands, wash hands." Lip gloss makes her very happy!
thomas34
Posted January 11, 2010
I was very intrigued by this book. Brook Shields told every account to her full capacity. I was a new mother struggling with postpartum depression and it is a real disease and a growing problem in the world. I truly hope that people will get the help they need and other family members will join with them to help. I also learned that people need others to help themselves in life. Please don't go at it alone, always ask for help. There is no shame in it at all. After you have learned how to cope with depression; be proud of yourself and your knowledge you have acquired. You never know when you can help someone else in need.
1 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted June 7, 2009
I bought this book for my sister in law when she started showing signs of PPD. She absolutely loved it. She said it helps her knowing that she is not alone, that other mothers go through the ups and downs of 'what in the world am I doing' when they get home from the hospital, and that it helped her put a lot into perspective. Thankfully, she only had a mild case of the baby blues, but she credits this book with opening her eyes to what it is REALLY like to be a first time mom, and what you can possibly deal with.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Posted March 27, 2013
I found this book to be very enlightening. It would be a great help to a new mother's family when she is acting in an uncharacteristic manner. Also, there are other resources for help listed in the book.
Most of all, it shows new mothers feeling this depression that they are not crazy, selfish or alone.
0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Posted November 12, 2012
She could have been writing my story of postpartum depression. This book is a very tender and truthful memoir of a struggle many women go through. I would recomend it for any age or gender. Amazing!
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted July 5, 2012
This gave me a look at what i was going through but couldn't see for my self. She was very brave to open up like this and help struggeling post partum women get a voice to get help.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.I am glad I read this book since I didn't know much about postpartum depression and couldn't imagine having the feelings that PPD brings. Not that I wasn't sympathetic to it, I had just never dealt with it myself or with a friend. After reading about Brooke's experiences, I feel that I now have a better understanding.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.GeekGirl67
Posted August 17, 2011
Please read if you are or are planning on getting pregnant. This book could help, i found it very honest and it was probably very hard for her to write. The taboo regarding ppd still exists.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted March 22, 2011
As a mother who went through PPD this was a great book to turn to. I felt the same way as Brooke Sheilds and it was great to know that I was not alone!!
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted June 7, 2010
I Also Recommend:
I received this book from my sister when she found it at a discount and we read it together. It was so good! I had no idea the severity of Brooke Shields' experience postpartum, but I most definitely looked at postpartum depression in a whole new light after reading this book. I don't necessarily know if I would recommend reading it while pregnant, but I don't even have any children and I found it to hold my attention the whole time.
0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Posted October 19, 2009
Recommended for anyone curious about a personal story of a battle with postpartum depression.
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Posted September 23, 2009
I too had post-partum depression after I had my 2nd daughter. It is a relief to know that there are other women out there that went through the same thing I did. It was interesting to find out that someone so famous had/has a normal life behind all the glamour. I want to give Brooke a big thanks for sharing her heroic story with everyone.
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Posted August 28, 2008
I am not a mother yet I found this book to be very interesting. Brooke writes it beautifully and I truly enjoyed reading it. I felt like I actually knew her! I would recommend this to both mothers and women who don't have children but are fans of Brooke. A great read.
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Posted March 31, 2008
Reading the book has given me a boost of condfidence. Knowing that the Author has blessed this world with her honesty, has given me hope in reading. I love to read Biographies of women who will tell the rest of us how they really feel. Having a Boost in confidence has given me the added realization that I am a great mother!
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Posted June 5, 2006
This book was so helpful to me. I am glad she decided to write this book. It has made me realize I shouldn't be ashamed of having PPD. It was the first book that read on this condition and I would reccomend it to anyone who thinks they suffer from PPD.
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Posted July 29, 2006
I have PPD and was hoping this book would help me but it's really not focused on the disorder. It's an autobiography, in fact it's even in that section of the book store. I don't recommend this for anyone who is in the depths of depression. Sure, you see how she felt and the similarities there but then it gets a little too gushy sweet. She seems like a very nice person but if the parts in this book on PPD were put together it might equal one chapter. Maybe two. Not much.
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Posted May 14, 2006
Everyone must read this book! I believe that her book portrays many feelings and thoughts that women experience when they have postpartum depression. It also enables women to have an understanding that they are not alone and that it is ok to seek help.
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Posted January 31, 2006
As a mom with PPD, I can honestly say that I related to the words of this book. However, I am sure that most mothers have experienced at least some depression or ill feelings after childbirth, and unfortunately, not all of us can afford the Hollywood entourage of nannies, psychologists, and personal trainers to help us recover.
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Posted December 3, 2005
I received this book from my husband's mother. I, too, had severe PPD, similar to Ms. Shield's PPD. This book described, very intricately, every emotion and feeling that is felt when you have PPD. I would recommend this to ANYONE who currently is suffering from PPD or had it in the past.
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Posted July 27, 2005
Shields gives an excellent account of her battle with PPD. Much of it seemed as though it was taken from my own journal. I'm only giving it three stars because there is too much name dropping and the timeline gets very confusing and hard to follow throughout much of the book.
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Posted September 18, 2005
I have just recently read 'Down came the rain', and it was very insightful. Having suffered through post-partum depression, very severly, after my 2nd. child, I could relate to many things Brooke writes about. She was so fortunate to have an understanding husband, friends and family. Many times we are not so fortunate to have loving family members who can understand this PPD thing. Personally, I don't think having a baby naturally or by C-section makes a difference in the hormones etc, which precipitate PPD. It happens. Who really knows why? Thanks for a good book, and for putting it out to the public. Most would shy away from that, and yet, PPD is a very real thing that happens sometimes after childbirth. KP from the Midwest
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