As the Clancy case highlights postpartum psychosis, a mom stricken by it shares her story of hope

About two weeks after giving birth, Bridget María Chesterton was found on the bathroom floor, speaking incoherently. In the emergency room, she repeatedly asked, "What's going on?" She had lost her grip on reality. The Chestertons, a couple from Buffalo, New York, had struggled with fertility treatments for years. Bridget gave birth to their daughter by C-section in January 2019, two months premature.

The baby was immediately taken to the neonatal intensive care unit. Chesterton's family was unaware of the severity of her condition, which was postpartum psychosis. This severe mental health disorder affects 1 to 2 out of every 1,000 women after delivery and can be triggered by factors like bipolar disorder. If left untreated, the condition may lead to dangerous thoughts or actions.

Chesterton, a 52-year-old history professor, eventually received medication and strong family support, which helped her return to reality. She now advocates for awareness of the disorder, sharing her story publicly to dispel misconceptions and provide hope for other families.