Mother recounts postpartum psychosis and recovery
A history professor describes her experience with postpartum psychosis, the treatment she received, and the importance of family support in her recovery.
Two weeks after delivering her daughter by C-section in January 2019, Bridget María Chesterton was found on a bathroom floor, unable to recall basic details and speaking incoherently. She was later diagnosed with postpartum psychosis, a rare but serious mental-health emergency that affects roughly one to two per 1,000 new mothers.
Chesterton, a 52-year-old history professor living near Buffalo, New York, said medication and strong family involvement were crucial to her recovery. She was hospitalized for two weeks at BryLin Hospital, then involuntarily committed for an additional two weeks while her mother cared for her and the infant.
“It’s something that we do not talk about as a society,” Chesterton said. “I’m not embarrassed about what happened. I want people to know about it.”
Her husband, James Fitzsimmons, and her parents provided round-the-clock assistance, including a postpartum doula, while her newborn spent the first two months in the neonatal intensive care unit. Chesterton remained on antipsychotic medication for about a year and reported that the fog lifted gradually, allowing her to care for her child by the time of the baby’s first birthday.
Dr. Emily Williams, an OB/GYN at Buffalo, noted that while postpartum psychosis can affect any new mother, the risk is higher for those with pre-existing conditions such as bipolar disorder. She emphasized that early recognition and prompt intervention, supported by family members, are essential to prevent harm to the mother or child.
Chesterton hopes sharing her story will dispel misconceptions about the disorder, especially in light of the high-profile case of Lindsay Clancy, and encourage families to watch for warning signs and seek immediate help.