Postpartum psychosis survivor shares story of hope amid Clancy case

A mother who experienced postpartum psychosis is sharing her story to raise awareness amid the trial of Lindsay Clancy, who is accused of strangling her three children. The case has spotlighted the rare condition, which affects 1 to 2 out of 1,000 women after delivery. Bridget María Chesterton, a 52-year-old history professor from outside Buffalo, New York, developed the disorder about two weeks after giving birth in January 2019. She was hospitalized twice, once involuntarily, and recovered with antipsychotic medication and strong family support, including her husband, parents, and a postpartum doula. Chesterton says she wants to dispel misconceptions about the condition and let families know there is hope. She is not embarrassed about what happened and feels driven to share her story publicly, with a poem about her experience set to be published in a journal this fall.