Latest National Maternity Survey finds 3 in 10 new mothers in England report common postnatal mental health problems

Published on Tuesday, 03 March 2026 Post

Our latest national maternity survey, You & Your Baby 2024, provides a picture of the mental health and maternity care experiences of women who gave birth in England in May 2024. We heard from 3,728 women from across the country—3 in 10 were from minority ethnic groups, 3 in 10 were born outside the UK, and 2 in 10 lived in the most disadvantaged areas. By hearing from thousands of women from a wide range of backgrounds, the survey paints a clear picture of mental health around childbirth and experiences of maternity care across England.

The findings show that the number of women with postnatal mental health problems is still higher than before the pandemic, with 3 in 10 women reporting symptoms of depression, anxiety or post-traumatic stress 6 months after giving birth. Despite this, 2 in 10 women said they were either not asked, or could not remember being asked, about their mental health by a health professional at the time their pregnancy was booked (this is usually around 12 weeks) or after the birth of their baby. These findings highlight the ongoing need for timely conversations about mental health and access to effective support throughout pregnancy and the postnatal period.

More than 8 in 10 women said they were 'very satisfied' or 'satisfied' with their care during pregnancy and childbirth, while just over 7 in 10 women were 'very satisfied' or 'satisfied' with their postnatal care. While most women were satisfied, a considerable number of women were not satisfied with their care at different stages of the maternity journey. These findings highlight the need to understand why some women report lower satisfaction with care, particularly after birth, so that targeted improvements can help ensure all women receive high-quality, supportive care.

Overall, the findings suggest that while some aspects of maternity services are meeting the needs of most women, there are still challenges in meeting all women's needs, particularly around mental health and postnatal care. The full report and an infographic summary of findings from You & Your Baby 2024 are available here.

Senior Social Scientist Dr Siân Harrison (NPEU) said:

We heard from women from a wide range of backgrounds, which strengthens the survey and helps ensure the findings reflect the experiences of women giving birth in England.

Professor Fiona Alderdice (NPEU), who co-led the study, added:

By capturing women's experiences throughout their maternity journey and up to six months after birth, the survey can help inform policy and future service planning in maternity and mental health care.

We would like to thank all the women who took part in the survey. We carried out this research with the support of partners from our Parent and Public Involvement (PPI) network, and we are grateful for their help in shaping the survey so that women's experiences were at its heart.

This research is funded by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Policy Research Programme, conducted through the Policy Research Unit in Maternal and Neonatal Health and Care, NIHR206113. The views expressed are those of the authors and not necessarily those of the NIHR or the Department of Health and Social Care.