Y&R writers incorporate star's maternity leave in craziest way...

The Young and the Restless has chosen an unusual way to write Chelsea off the canvas while portrayer Melissa Claire Egan takes her maternity leave, but at least the story leaves room for the character to pop in for appearances during Egan's break.

Popular The Young and the Restless actress Melissa Claire Egan is about to take her maternity leave, as the pregnant star's son is due for delivery sometime in August. But fans may be surprised by the way her Genoa City alter ego, Chelsea Lawson, is being written off the canvas.

While many fans figured that something super dramatic would lead to Chelsea's upcoming absence, the character will actually be sprung from the mental institution in which she's been committed in order to -- believe it or not -- help her mother, Anita (Catherine Bach), recover from a hip injury!

The reveal that prompts Chelsea's release happens today, July 9, but Soap Opera Digest teases that even though the character will be off helping Anita, she won't be completely absent during Egan's maternity break; viewers will continue to see the character throughout the summer as she makes video calls to her friends and loved ones in Genoa City.

Though Chelsea being sprung from a mental institution to help her mom with a hip injury is a new soap twist, it's not nearly as out there as some of the ideas that Egan had about the ways the writers could incorporate her absence. Back in April she teased, "Not sure how I'll be written out for maternity leave yet... Maybe I'll fall down a well! Or get kidnapped again by Stryker!"

Egan made the announcement in April that she and her husband, Matt Katrosar, were expecting a baby boy after a long and emotional journey that included two miscarriages. At the time, the actress shared that she and her hubby were "overwhelmed and soooo touched by all the love we've gotten since sharing about Baby K on the way."

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Egan has been playing the role of Y&R's Chelsea since 2011. She previously played the role of All My Children's Annie McDermott from 2006 to 2011, when AMC ended its ABC run. She has earned three Daytime Emmy nominations in the Outstanding Supporting Actress category for her work on AMC (in 2009, 2011, and 2012) and three Daytime Emmy nominations in the Outstanding Supporting Actress category for her work on Y&R (in 2013, 2014, and 2021).

How do you feel about the way Y&R will be ushering in Melissa Claire Egan's maternity leave? How were you hoping to see the character's absence addressed? We want to hear from you -- and there are many ways you can share your thoughts.

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