Up to 85,000 women may have had postnatal depression last year, analysis finds
The illness can be 'truly devastating' when left untreated, potentially leading to the 'unnecessary' deaths of women and sometimes their babies, the Royal College of Psychiatrists (RCPsych) warned.
Postnatal depression is a condition that can develop after childbirth.
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 your baby.
Using Office for National Statistics data which shows there were 567,708 live births in 2024, RCPsych estimates between 56,000 to 85,000 mothers – or between 10% to 15% – may have experienced postnatal depression.
The college highlights that maternal suicide is the leading cause of death in women from six weeks to a year after birth and also said prenatal mental illness – conditions that develop during pregnancy – can put unborn babies at risk of premature birth or low birth weight.
RCPsych is urging women and their partners to seek support for these treatable conditions.
Dr Trudi Seneviratne, consultant perinatal psychiatrist and immediate past RCPsych registrar, said: 'Women can experience an enormous amount of change, including increased stress factors when they become pregnant, and this may negatively affect their mental health.
'Postnatal depression is far more common than many people realise and can have a devastating impact on mothers, babies and families if left untreated.'
Treatment for postnatal depression can include talking therapies or antidepressants.
Dr Seneviratne stressed that medics are trained to ensure medication is safe to take when pregnant or breastfeeding, and warned that the risks of untreated depression outweigh the risk of antidepressants.
' Mothers who receive talking therapy and other forms of care from mental health services will often be able to recover, but some might be so unwell that they need medication, including antidepressants,' she said.
'Medication helps save lives. The dangers of untreated depression far outweigh the risks of antidepressants.
'The unnecessary deaths of mothers and sometimes their babies that result from failure to treat these conditions are truly devastating.
'Doctors are trained to ensure that the medication they prescribe is as safe as possible to take while pregnant or breastfeeding. Medication should be reviewed regularly, and any side effects closely monitored.
'For children to thrive, they need as good a start in life as possible, and this is important not only for the child and their mother but also communities and society as well. We all have a role to play in ensuring mothers and their partners feel confident seeking support when they need it.'
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