CW: This episode includes discussion of postpartum psychosis, suicidality, psychiatric hospitalization, and child death. No graphic details are included. Listener discretion is advised.

This episode examines the case of Andrea Yates, a mother whose dismissed postpartum psychosis led to the deaths of her five children in 2001. Jeri guides Heather and listeners through how severe mental illness, ignored medical warnings, lack of community, rigid gender roles, and fear-based religious pressure converged into a catastrophic systemic failure. Through a trauma-informed lens, this episode unpacks what postpartum psychosis is and why protecting maternal mental health, as a society, is critical.

Sources + Resources:

• ​Andrea Yates – Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Andrea_Yates
• ​Texas v. Yates (2002; 2006 retrial) – Court records summarized in major reporting and academic reviews.

• ​National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) Postpartum Psychosis: A Review.
• ​Psychiatry Online (American Psychiatric Association) https://psychiatryonline.orghttps://www.uptodate.com
• ​Michael Woroniecki – Wikipedia.https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_Woroniecki
• ​Guidelines on psychosis, mood disorders, and forensic evaluations. https://www.psychiatry.org

Postpartum Support International (PSI) https://www.postpartum.net

National Maternal Mental Health Hotline (U.S.) 1-833-TLC-MAMA (1-833-852-6262)https://mchb.hrsa.gov