Mood, anxiety and related disorders are some of the most common conditions that arise in pregnancy and in the year after childbirth, according to Dr. Archana Vidyasankar, perinatal psychiatrist and clinical assistant professor of psychiatry, obstetrics and gynecology in the faculty of medicine at Memorial University of Newfoundland, during a session supported by Biogen Canada at Benefits Canada’s 2025 Mental Health Summit.
Pregnant women are screened for diabetes and blood pressure, which affect around 10 per cent of pregnancies, she noted, whereas depression and anxiety are some of the highest complication rates, with depression being the most common obstetrical condition.
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Citing a 2018/19 Statistics Canada survey, Vidyasankar said 23 per cent of mothers reported feelings consistent with postpartum depression or an anxiety disorder. With more than 350,000 births per year in Canada, that’s almost 83,000 women impacted annually with perinatal mood and anxiety disorders, she said.
In Canada, an estimated 85 per cent of mothers aren’t properly treated with a resulting annual economic cost of $11 billion. Mothers’ untreated depression poses the risk of lower breastfeeding rates, higher risk of postpartum and future episodes, suicidal thoughts, termination, unhealthy coping and worsening depression.
In addition, maternal depression impacts the entire family, said Vidyasankar, including possible complications to the fetus. Risks to the fetus include preterm delivery, low birth weight, elevated cortisol levels and small size for gestational age.
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She also highlighted the studied connection between maternal depression and childhood adverse experiences. The parenting risks include neglect, irritability and trouble bonding, which can have generational impacts on the family.
Vidyasankar suggested a stepped care approach to maternal mental health that includes: providing information and increasing awareness; psychosocial mental-health care; medical mental-health care; encouraging social connectedness; and caring for basic needs, root causes and physical health.
She referenced a 2021 Moms at Work report that looked at experiences around maternity leave and found 95 per cent of new mothers didn’t receive any formal support during their leave transition and 79 per cent felt their return to work could have been managed better.
As well, 40 per cent of women on maternity leave considered quitting during the return-to-work process. Postpartum mental-health challenges may affect an employee’s ability to return to work, attendance and productivity, added Vidyasankar, encouraging employers to support their employees through enhancing their maternity leave process to ease mothers through the process.
Read more coverage of the 2025 Mental Health Summit.