You Are Not Alone: A Deeper Look at Maternal Mental Health

Maternal mental health refers to a person’s emotional and psychological wellbeing during pregnancy and in the first year after birth, often called the perinatal period. While many people associate this time with joy, excitement, and bonding, it can also be marked by confusion, overwhelm, and emotional distress.

Maternal mental health challenges include:

• Antenatal depression and anxiety (during pregnancy)
• Postnatal depression
• Postpartum anxiety and panic disorders
• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), often related to traumatic birth experiences
• Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
• Postpartum psychosis, a rare but serious condition requiring urgent care

It’s estimated that at least 1 in 5 women and birthing people will experience a mental health issue during the perinatal period. This figure is likely an underestimate, as many cases go unreported due to stigma, shame, or lack of access to culturally competent care.

The transition to motherhood, also known as matrescence, is a profound identity shift. It is both biological and social, and it can shake the very foundations of a person’s sense of self.

You may feel:

• Exhausted but unable to sleep
• Overwhelmed yet somehow under-stimulated
• Deep love and connection mixed with fear, frustration, or numbness
• Isolated even when surrounded by others

Many people also carry unresolved trauma from pregnancy complications, loss, infertility, or previous mental health struggles—all of which can resurface during the perinatal period.

It’s Not Just “Baby Blues”

Feeling emotional or tearful in the days following birth is very common. This is known as the baby blues and typically resolves within two weeks. However, if feelings of sadness, anxiety, or disconnection persist beyond this time, it may be a sign of something more serious.

We now have decades of strong evidence about the causes, consequences, and treatment of maternal mental health conditions.

Key findings include:

• Biological factors: Hormonal shifts in oestrogen and progesterone after birth can significantly affect mood regulation. Sleep deprivation and physical recovery from childbirth also contribute to emotional distress.
• Psychosocial stressors: Isolation, lack of support, relationship changes, and financial insecurity all increase the risk of perinatal mental illness.
• Social determinants: Systemic issues such as racism, poverty, and lack of culturally sensitive care disproportionately affect women from minority and marginalised backgrounds.

According to the Maternal Mental Health Alliance, perinatal mental health issues are the leading cause of maternal death in the first postnatal year. This statistic alone underlines the urgent need for open conversations and accessible support.

Furthermore, the Lancet Psychiatry (2020) published compelling evidence that early intervention—such as counselling, peer support, and medication when appropriate, dramatically improves outcomes for both parents and babies.

Despite its prevalence, maternal mental health struggles are still underreported. Many parents say they feel:

• Embarrassed or guilty for not feeling “grateful” or “happy”
• Ashamed of needing help
• Worried about being judged or not being seen as a “good mother”
• Afraid that disclosing their feelings might lead to intervention by social services

These fears are valid in a world that still idealises motherhood. But the truth is: seeking help is a sign of strength, not failure. There is no shame in struggling, only bravery in speaking up.

Whether you’re currently pregnant, newly postpartum, or reflecting months or years later, here are some red flags that indicate you could benefit from professional support:

• Persistent sadness or crying spells
• Intense anxiety, panic, or constant worry
• Feelings of emptiness, guilt, or hopelessness
• Difficulty bonding with your baby
• Intrusive thoughts, including fears of harming yourself or your baby
• Irritability, anger, or rage
• Withdrawing from loved ones
• Thoughts that you or your baby would be better off without you

These symptoms are not your fault and they are not forever.

There are many services ready to support you, no matter where you are in your journey. Here’s a guide to trusted, non-judgemental places you can turn to:

UK-Based Support

• GP or Health Visitor – Your first port of call for referral to perinatal mental health services.
• PANDAS Foundation – Offers support for individuals and families coping with perinatal mental health challenges. www.pandasfoundation.org.uk
• Mind – Perinatal Mental Health – Information and support services for mental health during pregnancy and after birth. www.mind.org.uk
• Maternal Mental Health Alliance – A coalition of organisations working to ensure all women receive the mental health care they need. www.maternalmentalhealthalliance.org
• Action on Postpartum Psychosis (APP) – Offers information and peer support for those affected by postpartum psychosis. www.app-network.org
• Tommy’s
  Research-based guidance and support for pregnancy and loss.
  Website: www.tommys.org

24/7 Support

• Samaritans – 116 123 (free to call)
• Text “SHOUT” to 85258 – Confidential crisis text line

One powerful way to support maternal mental health is through continuous, compassionate care and that’s where doulas come in. Doulas provide non-medical, emotional, and practical support during pregnancy, birth, and the postnatal period. Their presence has been shown to reduce anxiety, improve birth satisfaction, and help parents feel more confident and less isolated. Research published in the Cochrane Review shows that people supported by a doula are more likely to have a positive birth experience, and are less likely to need medical interventions or report postpartum depression. By offering consistent reassurance, advocacy, and a calm, informed presence, doulas can be an essential part of a person's perinatal support network, especially for those without strong social or familial support. Their care is grounded in empathy and presence, creating space for parents to feel heard, held, and empowered.

With the right support, recovery is not only possible—it’s expected. You won’t always feel like this. Many people go on to not only recover but to thrive, with a deeper sense of self-awareness, resilience, and compassion.

Whether your path to healing involves therapy, medication, peer support, or a combination of approaches, there is light at the end of the tunnel.

And remember: your mental health matters just as much as your baby’s.

This Maternal Mental Health Awareness Week, we invite you to take a moment, for yourself or someone else, to acknowledge that the postpartum period is not just about the baby, it's about the whole person who gave birth too.

Let’s dismantle shame.
Let’s normalise seeking support.
Let’s build a world where maternal mental health is nurtured, not neglected.

You are seen.
You are loved.
You are not alone.