Double Trouble

by Greg Liles

Why does PPD or postpartum depression, affect some new mothers and not others? What causes its onslaught and how long does it last? And to what extent does one suffer from its mentally and physically debilitating symptoms when diagnosed? There are no answers etched in stone that can be said to precisely explain why PPD happens, how long it will last, or how it will affect each woman. While there are percentages, and durations, and expectations, intended to answer these questions, the figures and amounts they reveal are at best are only conjecture taken from previous studies, and all include disclaimers to their accuracy. Ted and June had only been out of high school a little over a year when they decided to tie the knot. Now married a short while, she and Ted have only talked about having a baby, but he insisted that now was not the right time, it would be better if they waited until they could save up the money before starting a family. Even their parents suggested that they should enjoy life a while and get their finances in order before they became parents themselves. So much for that, when June begins having morning sickness, and when she goes to the family doctor, she learns that not only is she pregnant, she is carrying twins. She is afraid to tell Ted the news for fear he might be upset with her, but when she does, he surprises her by telling her how happy he is. Being not more than a child herself, June, has doubts that motherhood is what’s best for her. When she starts having the weird dreams, she tries to put them off as just weird pregnancy dreams, but when she starts having hallucinations and strange visions, she realizes there is something more serious going on. When June gives birth to two identical twin boys, the dreams and hallucinations suddenly stop, so she thinks everything is going to be okay. But shortly afterwards they begin again, so she returns to the doctor, who tells her he suspects her problems stem from PPD and arranges for her to attend support classes at a nearby clinic. June attends the sessions, but when she begins to feel normal again, she discontinues the classes. Then her problems return with a vengeance. She realizes she cannot mother her children nor can she be the wife or daughter that her husband and parents so desire her to be. She tells Ted she doesn’t love the boys and he doesn’t believe her. Then one day while he is at work, she loses it and injures one of the twins and Ted threatens to leave her if she doesn’t go back for more training. They have a big fight and Ted takes the boys outside to cool off and when he comes back inside, June is lying in a pool of blood. When the EMT’s arrive, Ted is holding a large butcher’s knife, his clothes covered in blood, and acting very strangely. They rush June to the hospital, she survives but goes into a coma, and after the EMT’s report their suspicions to the local sheriff, he charges Ted with attempted murder. Ted is brought to trial, but his reluctance to tell the court what actually happened, appears to be all the prosecuting attorney needs to have him found guilty of attempted murder. At the last minute, June has a vision while in a coma and comes to in time to tell the court that… Find out what June tells them, and learn how her life changed forever when postpartum depression, twin emotions, and motherly intuition all came together at the same time in this story of love, hate, childbirth and confusion. This book is a work of fiction. The characters, events, and places portrayed in this book are products of the author’s imagination and are fictitious or are used fictitiously. Any similarity to real persons, living or dead is purely coincidental and not intended by the author.

230 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 14, 2017