Alicia Bennett sought assistance from her healthcare provider, only to feel criminalized in the process. It’s crucial that new moms receive proper care from their partners, family, and especially their medical professionals. Unfortunately, this was not the case for Bennett, who welcomed her second child, Lily, last autumn.
Her healthcare journey was fraught with challenges. After several cancelled appointments, she could not see her OB for a postpartum checkup until Lily was four months old. Recognizing that she was experiencing postpartum depression, Bennett actively sought help.
What should have been a constructive dialogue about her mental health turned into a distressing experience. In a Facebook post that quickly gained traction, she recounted the events that unfolded after she finally managed to see a nurse practitioner. “I shared that I was dealing with postpartum depression, which was showing itself as anger, and expressed my desire to explore medication options,” she wrote. “I reassured them that I had a robust support system and would never harm myself or my baby, but I urgently needed help.”
The nurse practitioner hurried through the required examinations and then left the room to discuss Bennett’s situation with a doctor. What happened next was shocking. “They called the police on me,” she revealed.
Bennett was forced to wait with a staff member for over an hour for the police to arrive. “When the officers showed up, we had to figure out how they would escort me to the ER with my baby and her car seat,” she explained. Despite the absurdity of the situation, the police recognized that she was coherent and allowed her to drive to the hospital with Lily, while they provided a police escort.
Upon arrival at the ER, Bennett was subjected to a series of humiliating procedures. “I was checked in, triaged, and assigned a security guard as I waited for hours,” she said. The experience worsened as she was taken to a bathroom to provide a urine sample, during which her clothes were taken away and locked up. After missing dinner, she was offered two subpar turkey sandwiches.
Despite the lengthy ordeal, Bennett noted, “Not once did a doctor actually see me.” She felt further degraded by the experience, stating, “I was treated like a criminal for simply asking for help.” After around ten hours of distress, she left the hospital with no follow-up appointment and no medication, just a stack of printed resources.
Now, with her story gaining attention, Bennett aims to raise awareness, particularly for marginalized communities who may lack adequate support systems. “It’s vital to ensure everyone receives the care they deserve without fear of having their families torn apart,” she emphasized. “No woman should suffer in silence due to this common condition.”
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In summary, Alicia Bennett’s experience highlights the urgent need for compassionate and appropriate care for new mothers facing postpartum depression. As she advocates for better support systems, her story resonates with many who have faced similar challenges.
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