In the tumultuous months after the birth of her second son, there were times Rachael Bowling was sure she was dying. A diagnosis of postpartum depression, made five months after Grant's birth, was a lifesaver.

        Mrs. Bowling commemorated Grant's birth and her struggle with PPD, by establishing A Lighter Shade of Blue, the Cincinnati chapter of the self-help group Depression After Delivery, with Maria Korengel of Madeira.

        Later this month, the Bowlings — Rachael, her husband, Scott, and their two sons, Zachary, 5, and Grant, now 3 — will be commemorating another birth: Their daughter is due Jan. 16.

        “It's quite a different story from a long time ago,” Mrs. Bowling says.

        The baby girl will be named, appropriately, Hope.

        “We're really excited that we're going to be doing this again,” she says.

        Mrs. Bowling's struggle began three days after Grant was born. First she thought she had the flu, then a bout of nausea and diarrhea followed. Panic attacks sent her to the emergency room. She called suicide hot lines for help, along with her obstetrician and primary-care physician.

        Finally getting a diagnosis and learning about treatment was a huge relief, Mrs. Bowling says. A Lighter Shade of Blue Exists to let other women struggling with PPD know help is available.

        The group meets twice a month in Anderson Township on the first and third Mondays. A second group meets in Dayton. Call 860-4394 for meeting information.

        “It's been really, really neat. Much more than I ever expected from my experiences,” she says.

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