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Up to a quarter of women struggle with serious anxiety symptoms during pregnancy. These anxieties can be about the health of the baby, childbirth, and changes to the family. Anxiety problems are very distressing for mothers. Many women will not improve without treatment, with symptoms continuing postnatally and for some, leading to depression.

High anxiety during pregnancy is related to negative outcomes in childbirth and baby development. Babies of mothers who struggle with anxiety during pregnancy can have more problems with their emotions, behaviours and cognitive development. If the mother’s anxiety continues after the baby is born it can make it difficult for the mother to bond with the baby and provide the kind of care the baby needs. Together, the impact of untreated perinatal mental health problems cost over £8 billion each year in England.