Maternal Mental Health

Maternal Mental Health

Maternal mental health concerns can be caused by a combination of biological, psychological and social stressors, such as lack of support, a family history, or a previous experience with these symptoms. Maternal anxiety and depression are the most common complications of childbirth, impacting up to 1 in 5 women.

Risk Factors

• A personal or family history of depression or anxiety
• A difficult pregnancy or birth experience
• Giving birth to twins or other multiples
• Experiencing relationship problems with your partner
• Experiencing financial problems
• Receiving little or no support from family or friends to care for your baby
• Unplanned pregnancy

Women with depression or anxiety around pregnancy can feel:

• Extremely sad or angry without warning
• Foggy or have trouble completing tasks
• "Robotic," like they are just going through the motions
• Very anxious around the baby and their other children
• Guilty and like they are failing at motherhood
• Unusually irritable or angry