Key Summary
- Postnatal depression affects almost 15 percent of new mothers
- Persistent feelings of sadness, low mood, a lack of interest in things and a lack of energy could indicate postnatal depression
- Doctors claim it is treatable, but if left untreated, it could even lead to suicide
A new analysis by the Royal College of Psychiatrists (RCPsych) has found that up to 85,000 new mothers in England may have been impacted by postnatal depression last year.
They have warned that if it is left untreated, it could lead to maternal suicides, and urged women and their partners to seek support for these treatable conditions.
Postnatal depression, which affects almost 15 percent of new mothers, is a condition that can develop after childbirth.
Using Office for National Statistics data, which shows there were 567,708 live births in 2024, RCPsych estimates between 56,000 and 85,000 mothers, or between 10 percent and 15 percent, may have experienced postnatal depression.
While many women may feel tearful or anxious after giving birth, this does not usually last for more than two weeks.
Persistent feelings of sadness, low mood, a lack of interest in things, and a lack of energy could indicate postnatal depression.
Other symptoms can include trouble sleeping, withdrawing from other people, problems concentrating, and scary thoughts, such as thinking about hurting the baby.
Treatment for postnatal depression can include talking therapies or antidepressants.
The college highlights that maternal suicide is the leading cause of death in women from six weeks to a year after birth.
They also said prenatal mental illness, conditions that develop during pregnancy, can put unborn babies at risk of premature birth or low birth weight.
