postpartum Psychosis

This post was edited on March 21, 2023 by theartfemale

TW: Blog talks about violence, child abuse, and mental illness.

Recently you might have heard of a case where a mother was accused of strangling her three children and attempted to take her own life on January 24,2023. Her name is Lindsay Clancy. It is noted that she was likely suffering from postpartum psychosis. The case is still under investigation.

Credit: Facebook/Lindsay Marie Clancy

Postpartum psychosis is a rare but serious mental illness that can occur in some women after giving birth. It is estimated to occur in approximately 1-in every 1,000 deliveries and typically develops within the first two weeks after childbirth. Postpartum psychosis is a medical emergency and requires prompt treatment to prevent harm to the mother and infant.

You can learn more about postpartum psychosis symptoms and what it is at https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/24152-postpartum-psychosis

Lindsay Clancy visited  two different psychiatrists in September 2022. According to Boston.com on October 25, 2022 Lindsay Clancy kept her daily journals and thoughts in her phone,they found her writing of,  “I think I sort of resent my other children, because they prevent me from treating Cal like my first baby. And I know that’s not fair to them. I know that. I was feeling so depressed last evening when Cora and Dawson came home from school. I know it runs off on them, so we had a pretty rough evening. I want to feel love and connection with all of my kids.” In late december Clancy was   evaluated at the Women & Infants Hospital Center for Women’s Behavioral Health, because she thought she was going through postpartum depression, the doctors told her she has no symptoms of postpartum depression and sent her home. After being sent home she told her husband she had thoughts of suicide and hurting her childern. 

About a month later on Januarary  24, 2023.Lindsay Clancys  husband went out to run an errand and picked up dinner, Clancy  than allegedly strangled their three children and attempted to kill herself. 

photos by John Tlumacki/The Boston Globe via Getty Images 

The health of the mother after giving birth is gravely ignored as healthcare concentrates nearly solely on the infant.Unfortunately, women have historically been ignored in healthcare in various ways. Here are some of the reasons why:

1. Lack of representation: Women have historically been underrepresented in medical research, which can lead to a lack of understanding of how certain conditions or treatments affect women.
2. Lack of awareness and understanding: There is still a significant lack of awareness and understanding about postpartum struggles, which can lead to people overlooking or dismissing them.
3. Gender bias: Gender bias can also affect the way women are treated in healthcare. For example, women’s pain may be dismissed or downplayed, and their symptoms may be attributed to psychological factors rather than physical conditions.
4. Stigma and shame: Women’s health issues such as menstruation, menopause, and reproductive health have often been stigmatized, leading to a lack of attention and resources for these issues.
5. Lack of access to care: Women may face significant barriers to accessing healthcare due to factors such as cost, location, and lack of insurance coverage.

It’s essential to recognize and address the challenges women face during the postpartum period. Support from partners, family, and friends can make a significant difference in a woman’s recovery. Additionally, healthcare providers must take postpartum struggles seriously and offer women the resources they need to recover and thrive after giving birth.

I linked below a video below if you want more information about the ongoing case.

https://abcnews.go.com/US/mom-accused-killing-children-built-snowman-morning-deaths/story?id=96959550: postpartum Psychosis