Half of anxiety and depression cases in new mothers in UK missed, says report

Top midwives are calling for 350 additional midwives to help women struggling with mental health

Half of cases of anxiety and depression among new and expectant mothers in the UK are going undiagnosed, top midwives have warned, as they called for a boost in staff numbers to help spot more cases of mental ill health.

The Royal College of Midwives (RCM) said that 10% to 20% of women develop a mental illness during pregnancy or within the first year after having a baby, which can include anxiety and depression and severe mental health issues. But too many cases of perinatal cases of anxiety or depression are being missed, despite contact with professionals, it said in its report.