Mentally ill women face barriers to childbirth despite treatment stability
A woman with a history of psychosis discusses her fears about parenting and the lack of support for reproductive psychiatry in America.
Personal history of instability
The author stopped taking antipsychotic medication ten years ago, which led to a break with reality and weight gain. She later returned to treatment and achieved long-term stability before deciding to pursue pregnancy. Her past includes multiple overdoses while psychotic, including an incident where she drove a car in a blackout state.
Concerns about future parenting
She questioned whether her history of endangering herself and others made her unfit to parent a child. The author wonders if society under-prioritizes the mental health needs of women with similar histories. A tragic case involving Lindsay Clancy is cited as an example that brought attention to reproductive psychiatry.
Need for medical recognition
The text notes that reproductive psychiatry remains a critical but unrecognized field in American society. Many women like the author feel their specific maternal mental health needs are ignored. Support systems must improve before another tragedy occurs to highlight these issues.
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