Understanding Postpartum Psychosis: A Family’s Journey

About two weeks after giving birth, Bridget María Chesterton found herself disoriented on the bathroom floor. In the emergency room, she frequently asked, “What’s going on?” She had lost touch with reality. Her family later learned she was suffering from postpartum psychosis, a severe mental health disorder. This disorder recently gained attention with the case of Lindsay Clancy, a Massachusetts woman on trial for strangling her three children. A central question is whether postpartum psychosis played a role in her actions.

Researchers estimate postpartum psychosis affects 1 to 2 out of 1,000 women after childbirth. Though most women with this condition do not harm their children, some may attempt harm toward themselves or their kids. Medication and strong family support helped Chesterton navigate her own struggle, which she acknowledged “could have gone sideways” without it.

Chesterton was frustrated by online comments dismissing postpartum psychosis as a real disorder. She felt compelled to raise public awareness by sharing her story. A poem she wrote on her experience will be published soon. She aims to correct misconceptions and provide hope to families in similar situations.

“It’s something that we do not talk about as a society,” said Chesterton, a 52-year-old history professor from Buffalo, New York. “I’m not embarrassed about what happened. I want people to know about it.”

A Mom Struggles After a Difficult Pregnancy

Chesterton and her husband, James Fitzsimmons, longed for a child and underwent years of fertility treatment. Chesterton became pregnant in her mid-40s and dealt with severe asthma, necessitating hospital stays. She gave birth via C-section two months early in January 2019. “Everything about bringing her into the world was awful,” she said. Their daughter spent her initial weeks in the neonatal intensive care unit, and her name is withheld to protect her privacy.

EDITOR’S NOTE: This piece discusses suicide. The U.S. National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline is available by calling or texting 988 for assistance.

Initially, Chesterton seemed fine at home. But one day, Fitzsimmons discovered her disoriented on the bathroom floor. She made strange comments and couldn’t recall basic life details. Her husband called her mother, Maria Chesterton, who joined them at the hospital.

“She didn’t even remember having a baby,” recalled her mother. “She knew us vaguely.”

Symptoms and Risk Factors

Disorganized thinking and delusions are symptoms of postpartum psychosis, along with hallucinations, paranoia, agitation, and mood changes. Postpartum depression is more common, affecting about 1 in 7 women. However, postpartum psychosis can affect any new mother, especially those with mental health issues like bipolar disorder. In Chesterton’s case, doctors found no such conditions.

Chesterton was taken to BryLin Hospital in Buffalo for mental health care. Her mother remembered bringing her food and Valentine’s chocolates during her two-week stay. After being discharged, Chesterton regressed, unable to recognize her surroundings. She was institutionalized involuntarily due to her state.

“We had no choice,” her mother said. “She was in bad shape.”

Chesterton spent another two weeks apart from her baby. “I was kind of lucky she was in the NICU,” Chesterton noted, “There was someone to care for her while I was so ill.”

The Recovery Process

Antipsychotic medication and family support were pivotal in Chesterton’s recovery. When her baby returned home, she relied on assistance from her husband, parents, and a postpartum doula, who helped her reacquaint with caring for her daughter.

“She helped me learn how to take care of the baby,” Chesterton said, “to become a parent again.” Her family was fortunate to afford such care.

“The more hands on deck, the better,” advised Dr. Emily Williams, one of Chesterton’s doctors.

Over several months, Chesterton gradually improved. “We could see her getting better,” her mother said. “She was taking care of the baby again.” By her daughter’s first birthday, Chesterton had returned to normal.

Recognizing Signs and Taking Action

Chesterton’s family responded swiftly when symptoms arose, which Dr. Williams emphasized as crucial. Some families may downplay symptoms as mere exhaustion rather than acknowledging serious mental health concerns. Chesterton’s mother urged families to be watchful and support loved ones through such crises.

“If my daughter didn’t have our support, I don’t know how things would have turned out,” she said.

The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute’s Department of Science Education and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. AP content remains solely owned by The AP.