Nearly one in two new moms report emotional strain after childbirth, survey suggests

By Tahani Elghazaly
Published February 9, 2026

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New results from Statistics Canada’s 2024 Parental Experiences Survey show that nearly half (49%) of mothers and birthing parents experienced emotional or mental health challenges during pregnancy or after childbirth, underscoring how common psychological strain is in the postpartum period.

The survey found that, among those reporting challenges, 60% said symptoms began after childbirth, 25% during pregnancy, and 15% before pregnancy. It also reported that 21% said no health-care provider asked about their emotional well-being during pregnancy or after childbirth.

Service gaps were a key theme: among respondents who reported mental health challenges, 20% said they needed mental health care but did not receive it. The most common reasons included feeling too busy (41%), no appointments available or long waits (32%), and not knowing how or where to find care (31%).

The data also pointed to differences across groups, including higher reported challenges among younger mothers and birthing parents (15 to 24) and higher rates of not being asked about mental or emotional health among racialized respondents and recent immigrants.

Practical step (for families and primary care)

If symptoms like persistent low mood, anxiety, sleep disruption, or loss of interest last beyond two weeks, experts generally advise raising it directly with a family doctor, midwife, or OB provider and asking for a clear care pathway (therapy, peer support, or specialist referral).

Help and resources (Canada)