Rosie O'Donnell has detailed her first emotional visit to see her daughter in prison.

The A League of Their Own actress knew it would be "difficult" to see 28-year-old Chelsea - who was arrested three times in 2024 and ultimately pleaded guilty to ail jumping, possessing methamphetamine and resisting or obstructing an officer - but was relieved when she reached out to ask her to meet.

In a lengthy poem titled Before and After published on her Substack account, Rosie wrote in part: "I'm going to visit her soon. I have tried to prepare myself. I know it will be difficult. But I must.

"As she asked me to. A first for her at 28 years old. I can do hard things. And so can she."

Rosie noted getting sober has helped Chelsea and their relationship "so much" and she warned her daughter she would likely get emotional at the visit.

She wrote: "I told her I may cry when I see her. There in prison clothes "Why mom - it's not bad in here - I have friends now".

"Hard to hear - but good to know. She's somehow not suffering. Making the best of it. Getting thru."

The second half of the poem then detailed the planned four-hour visit - for which Rosie, 64, noted she was warned not to give her daughter money, keep her voice down, hands over the table and no more physical contact than a "hug hello and goodbye only".

She wrote: "We all wait. Chelsea comes in first. My heart skips a beat. She looks good.

"Healthy calm. Rested blue eyes. Clear skin. In her green uniform.

"We embrace. She smells familiar. holds on tight. I stare into her eyes."

As she had predicted, Rosie couldn't help but cry.

She wrote: "I go splash cold water. On my face. As tears drop from my eyes. I try to shake the sadness.

"It's hard enough for her ... She turns 29 this summer. And all I see when I look at her. Is a blonde baby in diapers."

Sadly for the "crestfallen" pair, the visit was cut short because a "tornado touched down nearby" and the families were asked to leave before being "rushed out" of the room.

Rosie - who lives in Ireland now - spent her journey back to the hotel reflecting on the day and her love for Chelsea.

She concluded: "It storms all the way to the hotel. As I try to process. All that's happened. It was a big day for both of us.

"I conk right out. I sleep for hours. Proud of us both.

"Unconditional love. Simply the only way. Thru motherhood. Love and forgiveness a must.

"Even when it seems impossible. Especially then. We live - we learn - we grow. Even at 64."