Mother recounts postpartum psychosis battle and recovery amid heightened public attention

Two weeks after delivering a premature daughter by C-section, Bridget María Chesterton was found on her bathroom floor, confused and unable to recall basic details of her life. Medical evaluation diagnosed her with postpartum psychosis, a severe mental-health emergency that affects roughly one to two women per 1,000 births, according to researchers. Chesterton, a 52-year-old history professor living near Buffalo, New York, said antipsychotic medication and intensive family assistance helped her regain stability.

Chesterton’s experience has drawn renewed focus because of the high-profile trial of Lindsay Clancy, a Massachusetts mother accused of killing her three children, where postpartum psychosis is a central issue. Chesterton, whose pregnancy followed years of fertility treatment and was complicated by severe asthma, emphasized that most sufferers do not harm their children, but severe cases can involve self-harm or threats to infants.

"It's something that we do not talk about as a society," Chesterton said, adding that she is not embarrassed about her ordeal and wants the public to recognize the condition. She plans to publish a poem about her experience later this year to further raise awareness.

Doctors note that while postpartum psychosis can affect any new mother, risk is higher for those with pre-existing mood disorders such as bipolar disorder—conditions Chesterton did not have. Dr. Emily Williams of Buffalo OB/GYN highlighted the importance of rapid response and family involvement, stating, "The more hands on deck, the better."

After a two-week stay at BryLin Hospital and a subsequent involuntary commitment, Chesterton remained on antipsychotics for about a year. With help from her husband, parents and a postpartum doula, she relearned how to care for her infant, who had spent the first weeks of life in the neonatal intensive care unit. By her daughter's first birthday, Chesterton reported a return to normal functioning.

Chesterton’s mother urged other families to stay vigilant for signs such as disorientation, delusions or mood swings, and to act quickly, noting that without a strong support network the outcome could be very different.