Customer Reviews

Dropping the Baby and Other Scary Thoughts: Breaking the Cycle of Unwanted Thoughts in Motherhood

I had heard about the baby blues and postpartum depression. I think most women are briefed about it at some point during pregnancy and right after childbirth, but what I (and I suspect most who go through this) experienced was a million times worse and much different from what I had heard. I think it's a shame that more isn't done to educate women about what may happen to them after they give birth. I was completely petrified by the feelings and thoughts that I was having. And I was even more terrified of what would happen if I told anyone about it. I thought my child would be taken from me if I tried to describe the horrible, horrible, horrible things going through my mind. Yet, at the same time, I was afraid to be alone with my child, thinking that if I could think things I did not want to think, what would stop me from doing things I didn't want to do. I was convinced that there was something more wrong with me than simple postpartum depression because I had never heard of anyone having the kind of thoughts I was having and having them constantly.

This book helped me understand that I really was experiencing what many, many women go through. I can't explain how relieved I was to find I was not alone. It also helped me share what I had been trying to go through alone for over three months. I literally took the book to my husband and said that I needed to talk to him, but I wanted him to read a few key passages from the book first. He completely understood, and I was so much more relieved not to be alone with my thoughts anymore.

Of course the book wasn't responsible for a full recovery, but it made me realize that I had to speak with a doctor and a therapist. I did (and still do) need medication, but I was able to work through a lot of problems with my therapist in a few months. Mindfulness practices also helped a lot. But it was this book that was my lifeline when I felt that I was going through the coldest, harshest hell imaginable.

As a mother hit with PPD out of nowhere 3 months after my 3rd child, this book has been absolutely invaluable. I was paralyzed with fear and anxiety, and bought this book hoping for some clarity on the phenomenon of unwanted thoughts. I wasn't just reassured I wasn't alone: they spoke to EVERY SINGLE THING I had experienced! I felt understood, comforted, and equipped by what they wrote. Along with Scripture, this book got me through the roughest patch I've ever been in. It took me from ashamed and paralyzed to educated and empowered. I highly recommend every OB read this as well.

This book is a fantastic resource for new mothers dealing with scary thoughts. Every doctor (especially obstetricians, family practitioners, pediatricians, and psychiatrists) should be REQUIRED to read this.

I found this to be a really helpful read. After the birth of our first baby 5 months ago, I quite unexpectedly ended up having a lot of postpartum anxiety, and while I love researching, I actually had a hard time finding a ton of helpful info regarding just postpartum anxiety. This book covers both anxiety and depression. It was an encouraging read.

All new mothers and clinicians should be required to read this book. It is a fantastic resource and sheds light on a COMMON postpartum struggle not addressed with the commonly known baby blues, postpartum depression and postpartum psychosis. A must read!

I bought this book right after the birth of my first baby and at that time I needed it badly. Anything. I would take comfort and understanding from anywhere. That is what this book is. It helps mother's understand the details in a topic that is rarely discussed. I hope that books like this will continue to be written so that we further dialogue about scary thoughts in motherhood and in life in general. After you read the book, you will know you are NOT ALONE!! It's common, it's real, and it's OKAY. I will say that depending on what you are struggling with, a few pages in this book can be triggers to more scary thoughts. I realized it quickly and skipped over these pages. I believe the page before the pages I'm talking about does warn you to skip ahead if you are not at a place to handle it. And on a personal note, my son is now 15 months old and it GETS SO MUCH BETTER. You are a great mama.

Good book for woman, who has a scary thought and does not know how to discuss this problem with their family members and professionals

This is an excellent book. It has tips for moms and therapists working with moms with postpartum anxiety. It is informative and easy to read.

Once again Karen Kleiman's brilliance and emotional eloquence shines through on the pages of this excellent book co-authored by equally knowledgeable and talented writer Amy Wenzel. A must read for clinicians, patients and family members of persons affected by the unfortunately common symptoms of intrusive and scary thoughts that can occur in motherhood. An incredibly worthwhile and important read.

Karen and Amy have done an excellent job of writing to both moms and clincians. The book outlines tangible ideas that clincians can use as a part of their interventions. Mothers will feel comforted and hopeful with the stories of other mothers and tools they can try on their own. It is a must read for every care provider and every mother and family that is suffering! There is NO other book that could be written to top the masterful job they have done.