Perinatal Mental Health: Key Indicators of Quality of Care and Maternal Experiences in 10 Countries of the World Health Organization European Region from the Improving MAternal Newborn Care Research Network
1
WHO Collaborating Centre for Maternal and Child Health, Institute for Maternal and Child Health IRCSS Burlo Garofolo, Trieste, Italy
2
National Institute of Public Health, Ljubljana, Slovenia
3
Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Institution of Clinical Sciences Lund, Lund University, Lund and Skåne University Hospital, Malmö, Sweden
4
International Confederation of Midwives, Den Haag, Netherlands
5
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Riga Stradins University, Riga, Latvia
6
Department of Midwifery, Centre of Postgraduate Medical Education, Warsaw, Poland
7
Department of Environmental Sciences, Vytautas Magnus University, Kaunas, Lithuania
8
Department of Midwifery, University of West Attica, Athens, Greece
Popul. Med. 2026;8(Supplement Supplement 1):A2243
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
Perinatal mental health (MH) conditions are common and often underdiagnosed [1]. Although routine screening is essential and recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO) [1], its implementation remains inconsistent across countries. This study examined key indicators of MH quality of care and related maternal perceptions in 10 countries of the WHO European Region, using data from the IMAgiNE (Improving MAternal Newborn Care) GLOBAL Network.
METHODS:
Women aged 18 and older who gave birth in healthcare facilities between May 2023 and March 2025 were invited to participate. Data were collected via a validated online questionnaire available in 21 languages. The survey covered: i) MH screening practices, ii) experience of symptoms of depression and anxiety, iii) maternal perception of adequate support; iv) overall emotional experience around childbirth; v) perceived impact of emotional or psychological difficulties on maternal wellbeing.
RESULTS:
Among 20611 women, 38.9% (range 2.1% to 79.9%) reported not being screened for MH symptoms during pregnancy and the postpartum period. A total of 8142 women (39.5%, range 22.0% to 59.8%) reported feeling symptoms suggesting depression or anxiety during pregnancy and/or the postpartum period, and among these, 59.6% (28.5% to 85.2%) did not receive adequate support. A total of 2123 women (10.3%, range 6.5% to 18.8%) experienced emotional/psychological difficulties during childbirth affecting their wellbeing, with 698 (32.8%) reporting being moderately affected, 577 (27.1%) being very much affected, and 684 (32.2%) finding the experience really traumatic. Major differences across countries were found.
CONCLUSIONS:
Our findings reveal widespread gaps in perinatal MH care across all countries included in this analysis. Urgent investment is needed to strengthen mental health support for women from pregnancy to postpartum, with a focus on identifying and assisting those most at risk during this critical period.
Perinatal mental health (MH) conditions are common and often underdiagnosed [1]. Although routine screening is essential and recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO) [1], its implementation remains inconsistent across countries. This study examined key indicators of MH quality of care and related maternal perceptions in 10 countries of the WHO European Region, using data from the IMAgiNE (Improving MAternal Newborn Care) GLOBAL Network.
METHODS:
Women aged 18 and older who gave birth in healthcare facilities between May 2023 and March 2025 were invited to participate. Data were collected via a validated online questionnaire available in 21 languages. The survey covered: i) MH screening practices, ii) experience of symptoms of depression and anxiety, iii) maternal perception of adequate support; iv) overall emotional experience around childbirth; v) perceived impact of emotional or psychological difficulties on maternal wellbeing.
RESULTS:
Among 20611 women, 38.9% (range 2.1% to 79.9%) reported not being screened for MH symptoms during pregnancy and the postpartum period. A total of 8142 women (39.5%, range 22.0% to 59.8%) reported feeling symptoms suggesting depression or anxiety during pregnancy and/or the postpartum period, and among these, 59.6% (28.5% to 85.2%) did not receive adequate support. A total of 2123 women (10.3%, range 6.5% to 18.8%) experienced emotional/psychological difficulties during childbirth affecting their wellbeing, with 698 (32.8%) reporting being moderately affected, 577 (27.1%) being very much affected, and 684 (32.2%) finding the experience really traumatic. Major differences across countries were found.
CONCLUSIONS:
Our findings reveal widespread gaps in perinatal MH care across all countries included in this analysis. Urgent investment is needed to strengthen mental health support for women from pregnancy to postpartum, with a focus on identifying and assisting those most at risk during this critical period.
| eISSN: | 2654-1459 |
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