In the small town of Grand Island, New York, Bridget María Chesterton found herself at the center of a struggle she never anticipated. Only two weeks after the joy of welcoming a new life, she was found on the bathroom floor, trapped in a haze of confusion and fear. Her words were incoherent, and in the blink of an eye, she was in the emergency room, endlessly asking, “What’s going on?” Her reality had slipped away.
Chesterton’s family received a diagnosis that shed light on her unraveling mental state: postpartum psychosis. This severe condition, now gaining attention due to the high-profile case of Lindsay Clancy, a Massachusetts woman facing trial for the tragic loss of her three children, raises critical questions. Did postpartum psychosis play a role in Clancy’s actions?
While postpartum psychosis is rarer than its more familiar counterpart, postpartum depression, researchers estimate it affects 1 to 2 out of every 1,000 new mothers. Though many women experiencing this mental health crisis do not pose a danger, severe cases may lead to attempts of harm against themselves or their children.
Reflecting on her ordeal, Chesterton credits her recovery to a combination of timely medication and unwavering family support. “It could have gone sideways,” she admitted, acknowledging the precariousness of her path to wellness.
As public discourse swirls around the Clancy case, Chesterton finds herself frustrated by the skepticism and dismissals she often encounters online regarding postpartum psychosis. Determined to change perceptions, she speaks out, hoping her story can educate and support others. In an effort to further illuminate this misunderstood condition, her poignant poem capturing the depths of her experience is slated for publication this fall. Her mission is clear: to correct misconceptions and offer a beacon of hope to those navigating similar shadows.
“It’s something that we do not talk about as a society,” said Chesterton, a 52-year-old history professor who lives outside Buffalo, New York. “I’m not embarrassed about what happened. I want people to know about it.”
A mom was fine at first, then ‘in bad shape’
Chesterton and her husband James Fitzsimmons wanted a baby desperately and underwent fertility treatment for years. She finally got pregnant in her mid-40s and had severe asthma during the pregnancy that put her in the hospital. She gave birth to her daughter by C-section in January 2019, about two months early.
“Everything about bringing her into the world was awful,” Chesterton said. “It was the longest seven months of my life.”
Just after the birth, the baby was hurried off to the neonatal intensive care unit, where she spent her first weeks of life. To protect the child’s privacy, The Associated Press is withholding her name at the family’s request.
If you are experiencing suicidal, substance use or other mental health crises please call or text the new three digit code at 988. You will reach a trained crisis counselor for free, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. You can also go to 988lifeline.org or dial the current toll free number 800-273-8255