Supporting maternal mental health during pregnancy and postpartum
Pregnancy and postpartum care for mothers is garnering more attention. National and local headlines, along with increased conversation on social media, have inspired women to share their experiences. These stories have also sparked important conversations about maternal support systems and what those surrounding new mothers can do to better protect, defend and nurture them as they welcome new life.
Maternal Mental Health Conditions Are Common and Often Untreated
Maternal mental health conditions affect 1 in 5 pregnant and postpartum women, yet 75% of those women go untreated. Prenatal and postpartum mental health care is not a niche topic. These conditions affect a significant percentage of mothers, which means it is statistically likely that each of us knows a woman who has been impacted.
Pregnancy and birth are two of the greatest physiological changes the human body can endure. With those changes come hormonal and psychological effects that cannot be ignored. Unfortunately, as a society, we have often done just that. We have overlooked mothers as they struggle to recover from childbirth and adjust to life with a new baby.
Pregnancy Loss and the Need for Mental Health Support
Sadly, conversations surrounding pregnancy loss are even rarer. Only 16% of women who experience pregnancy loss seek mental health care or counseling, despite roughly 50% enduring severe anxiety, depression or post-traumatic stress.
TIME reports that maternal health advocates, anthropologists and journalists frequently warn against romanticizing birth as a purely natural, instinctual feat that women are simply “built” to endure. This belief creates a dangerous culture of silent suffering and pressure to “bounce back.” It assumes mothers should naturally recover and heal without support, directly contributing to the systemic neglect of the postpartum season.
The Life Stressors That Can Accompany Motherhood
Children are blessings. But it would be foolish to disregard the life stressors that can accompany their arrival, including financial stress, relationship strain, lack of sleep, hormonal disruptions, extreme emotional changes, family transitions and career interruptions.
For many women, these factors, combined with inadequate support, can induce feelings and thoughts that were previously foreign to them.
Some Mothers Face Greater Risks
Women of color in the United States face an even greater risk.
“Stark racial disparities in maternal and infant health in the U.S. have persisted for decades despite continued advancements in medical care. Compared to other high-income countries, the U.S. remains the country with the highest rate of maternal deaths,” reports KFF.
These negative outcomes for women of color and their infants remain consistent across education levels and socioeconomic status.
Single mothers and teen mothers are also more vulnerable. Studies show that teen mothers are roughly twice as likely to experience postpartum depression compared with adult mothers. Single mothers experience nearly double the rate of depression compared with married or partnered mothers. These women often feel judged and isolated, making them less likely to ask for help when they need it.
It’s important to note that postpartum symptoms do not simply occur in the weeks following birth. Postpartum mental health symptoms can persist for three to five years when left untreated. Women who are neglected, ignored, or who are ashamed to seek help immediately after symptoms appear are at higher risk of developing long-term mental health conditions.
Supporting Mothers Helps Children Thrive
Many of us consider ourselves advocates for children. We want to see children thrive and feel safe at home, but we often unintentionally overlook the well-being of their mothers. Caring for women during pregnancy and the postpartum period directly affects the environment in which their children will grow.
Research shows that poor maternal mental health can significantly affect a child’s physical, emotional and cognitive development from birth through adolescence.
Pediatricians report that children of mothers experiencing untreated mood or anxiety disorders are more likely to face developmental delays, difficulty regulating emotions and heightened stress responses. Maternal well-being plays a critical role in fostering an environment where children feel safe, supported and able to thrive.
As a society, we can continue to approach mothers with a “pull yourself up by your bootstraps” mentality and then act surprised when they lack the support and tools needed to raise, protect and teach their children. Or we can equip mothers with practical resources, coping skills and a strong support system, helping protect their children from dysfunction in the future.
The safety and mental fortitude of a mother directly affect the safety and resilience of her child.
Buckner Maternity Services Supports Mothers and Their Children
Buckner Maternity Services works to provide free wraparound care for mothers, fathers, and their children, including counseling, support and practical resources. These services are not just available for pregnant women but are available with mothers of young children too. Postpartum does not have a timeline, which is why we offer free counseling even after the baby is one year old.
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