Nearly 8 in 10 mums say their mental health got worse after pregnancy, new UK report finds

The majority of mums say their mental health declined after pregnancy, according to a powerful new UK report launched in Parliament today.

In research described as a “collective testimony” from families, 79% of women and birthing people said their mental wellbeing was worse during pregnancy or after giving birth. Yet tens of thousands each year are still unable to access specialist support.

The report, This Is Our Truth, was created by Bristol-based perinatal mental health charity Mothers for Mothers. It captures the voices of 791 women and birthing people and 56 voluntary organisations, representing more than 23,000 families.

79% of mums felt mentally worse after pregnancy

The findings paint a stark picture of the emotional toll pregnancy and early motherhood can take.

Of those surveyed, 79% said their mental wellbeing was “worse than before” pregnancy. Only 7% said it was better.

Every year in England, around 600,000 women give birth. An estimated 26% will experience perinatal mental illness, around 156,000 women and birthing people. Yet only 57,000 receive specialist services, leaving approximately 99,000 without the level of support they may need.

When widened across the UK, that figure rises to around 109,000 families falling below the threshold for specialist care each year.

Mums aren’t hiding, they’re not being heard

The report challenges the long-standing narrative that women “hide” or “underplay” their symptoms.

Instead, many respondents said they did ask for help but felt dismissed, rushed or judged.

We often hear that women 'hide' or 'underplay' their symptoms. Let’s tell the truth. Many don’t. They ask for help and are told they don’t meet the threshold. They disclose and are met with silence.

The most common barrier to speaking up was fear of being judged. Others said they worried their baby might be taken away, that their concerns would be written in their medical notes, or that healthcare professionals were simply too busy.

One in four women and birthing people experience perinatal mental illness, yet fewer than half receive specialist support. Tens of thousands fall below service thresholds and are left navigating distress alone, often while caring for a newborn.

Long waits and high thresholds for support

Even when mums are referred for help, support is not always immediate.

Nearly a third of those who were referred for additional mental health care said they waited between one and three months for their first appointment. Some reported waiting more than six months.

Others said they were told they did not meet the threshold for specialist perinatal services unless they were acutely unwell.

In focus groups, parents described maternity services as overstretched and under-resourced, with appointments often feeling rushed and lacking continuity.

Nearly half say they didn’t get support to bond with their baby

The impact goes beyond maternal wellbeing alone.

Almost half of respondents, 47%, said they did not feel they received support to help them bond with their baby.

The report also found that around a third of partners experienced their own mental health difficulties during pregnancy or after birth, yet nearly four in five did not receive support.

Maria Viner, CEO of Mothers for Mothers, who has been involved with the charity for nearly 20 years, says the findings should act as a wake-up call.

Families are not asking for perfection; they are asking for safety, continuity, compassion and dignity.

What is Mothers for Mothers calling for?

The charity is urging stronger long-term funding for voluntary and community organisations, which often step in when NHS thresholds are not met.

Its key calls to action include:

• Closing gaps in perinatal mental health care
• Improving identification and access to support
• Mandatory trauma-informed training for professionals
• Funding services families say they value most
• Better support for families who fall below specialist thresholds

Laura Guckian, Ambassador of Mothers for Mothers, motherhood coach and host of the award-winning podcast Momfessions, is supporting the launch of the report and amplifying families’ lived experiences.

The charity says improving maternal mental health is not only about supporting mums, but about safeguarding babies’ development and strengthening families for the long term.

As the report concludes, when mothers are supported emotionally and practically, the benefits extend far beyond the early months.

If you are struggling with your mental health during pregnancy or after birth, you can speak to your GP, midwife or health visitor. Organisations including Mothers for Mothers and other local perinatal mental health charities also offer peer support and specialist services.