The early weeks of motherhood are often portrayed as a time of joy, filled with newborn cuddles and celebration. However, for many women, this period can also be one of profound vulnerability.
Major Study Reveals Peak Risk Period
In the largest mental health study of its kind, the University of Queensland has discovered that major depression has the highest prevalence two weeks after giving birth. The research, which analysed data from 780 studies involving more than 2 million women and girls across 90 countries, found that the prevalence of major depression during pregnancy is 6.2 per cent, rising to 6.8 per cent in the 12 months after childbirth.
Honorary Associate Professor Alize Ferrari from the University of Queensland noted, "Globally, major depression impacts about 4.3 per cent of women and girls in the broader population, but we found the prevalence was significantly higher during the peripartum period."
Personal Stories Highlight the Struggle
Brittany Matsen’s journey into motherhood has been marked by heartbreak and resilience. "I have had three babies. Our eldest, Lennox, he passed away," she told 7NEWS. "So I experienced PNDA (Perinatal Depression and Anxiety) through that journey mixed with grief. And then we went on to have our second child, Waverly, and she was born at 26 weeks. So a lot of anxiety mixed in with that."
Last year, she had her third child and faced complications, resulting in a two-week hospital stay. Despite being proactive in seeking support, Matsen says postnatal depression still took hold. "Knowing what I had been through I felt like I was knowledgeable, well supported. But still it didn't, I guess, protect me from what came afterwards. So yeah, again it was another really hard journey."
Need for Early Intervention
Experts say the results highlight the need for early screening and intervention for depression during the entire peripartum period. "Depression is common. It's disabling and needs to be looked at," Ferrari said.
In Australia, postnatal depression affects around one in seven women. But advocates, including Alecia Staines from the Maternity Consumer Network, warn not everyone is getting the help they need. "Some of these women who should be getting support are possibly slipping through the cracks," she said. She also points to broader issues like "fragmented maternity care" and birth trauma, which can increase the risk of PNDA. "One in three women are experiencing birth trauma and most of that is preventable," she added.
Support Available
Support is available through GPs and organisations like the Gidget Foundation Australia and the Centre of Perinatal Excellence. Perinatal Anxiety & Depression Australia (PANDA) also offers a free national helpline for families.
"There is a growing awareness, but we want people to be able to reach out early," said clinical psychologist and PANDA CEO Julie Borninkhof. "We know in the early stages, having just had a baby, you're transitioning and changing identities. We would encourage people to have a chat with their local health providers and those that are supporting them at that time."
For Matsen, getting support through the Gidget Foundation made a profound difference. "I still stayed connected with the Gidget Foundation and continued to seek support through them and then afterwards as well."
