My name is Denise Jimenez. I'm 25 years old and the mother of two wonderful babies. My son, Rickey, who is 3 1/2, and my daughter she just turned one. I have been through a lot to have my kids...and never did I expect to go through even more after having them.

In 2004, I found out I was pregnant with my son. I was so happy, never did I think I would soon be fighting for my life!

I was diagnosed with severe pre-eclampsia at 26 weeks. I woke up one day really sick, went to the hospital and didn't come home. I was the most critical high-risk mother-to-be. I went blind. My body was shutting down and my blood was poison.

On the fourth day of my hospital day I had my son by emergency C-section at 11:23 pm. He came home 2 months and three days later.  Read More

By Michael Spangler

I am Senior Master Sergeant Michael Dennis Spangler of the United States Air Force. I am a proud and accomplished military professional from a Specialized Unit. I have worked in over 30 countries and accomplished hundreds of difficult and occasionally dangerous missions successfully and honorably.

The story I am about to tell you is agonizingly painful for me for share. However, I believe that increased awareness of this serious, possibly deadly condition is so very much more important than my personal pain. I hope with all my heart that many will benefit from this information about Postpartum Depression. This has been my plan since soon after 17 May 2004.

That was the day I lost my wife, Annie Imlay-Spangler, to postpartum depression.  She needed serious mental health counseling and therapy. I did not see it. I fervently hope that others will learn from my horrible experience, before it’s too late.

The memories of our efforts, failures, hopes, dreams, our ecstatic reaction to the arrival of Johnathan Michael Spangler and the ultimate tragedy of Annie’s death are events I will share with my son happily and of course, sadly when I determine that he is ready. Read More

By Holly Herring 

My name is Holly and came from a very broken home.  At the time I found out I was pregnant with my only child, I was 24 years old and single.  I lived in a cute beach cottage in San Diego, worked hard every day at a job where I felt very important and was a very good worker.  My job was my life.  I scheduled everything around my job.  I had been dating a guy for about 4 months when  my period was late.

My period was NEVER late!  My body ran like clockwork in every respect.  I took a home pregnancy test and then two MORE home pregnancy tests before I decided that all these “positives” must mean something.  The next morning at work I found an OB/GYN in the phone book and made an appointment.  When the receptionist asked what the appointment was for I was all of a sudden ashamed, “I might be pregnant” I responded.

I kept things to myself until my appointment with the OB.  The nurse asked me why I thought I might be pregnant and I explained about the three pregnancy tests.  She looked at me and said ”Honey, you’re pregnant then”.    I was ashamed once again.  However, being pro-life, I decided to keep my baby.  Surely if I could do all that I had accomplished thus far I could surely handle a baby!  However, I was still unsure how to handle being pregnant and a professional at the same time.  Read More

By Sharon L. Jones

When people talk about postpartum depression, it’s usually because there is a particularly disturbing case in the news.

A pastor’s wife tries to drown her two young daughters. What a monster!

An anonymous woman writes Dear Abby that she has a baby she doesn’t want and worries she might hurt. What is wrong with her! Send me that baby!
A woman shoots herself to death in a supermarket parking lot while her husband cares for their baby at home.  How could she abandon them? How selfish.

The first time I experienced postpartum depression, it wasn’t anything like that.

In December 2000, I gave birth to my first child. I was nearly 40 years old and had had a successful career as a journalist. My husband, Steve, and I were thrilled and delighted with our baby girl, Zia, and the first month was truly magical. Read more ...