ArticleBMC psychiatry2016
Who is actually asked about their mental health in pregnancy and the postnatal period? Findings from a national survey.
Article in BMC psychiatry, 2016. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 30 papers, 6 of them syntheses that pooled it.
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Who cites it
30 citing papers in PubMed, 6 syntheses or guidelines pooled it.
- The perinatal mental health experiences of black immigrant mothers in the UK: A qualitative systematic review and thematic synthesis.PloS one · 2025Pooled it
- Pooled it
- Psychological interventions for maternal depression among women of African and Caribbean origin: a systematic review.BMC women's health · 2021Pooled it
- Pooled it
- Human and economic resources for empowerment and pregnancy-related mental health in the Arab Middle East: a systematic review.Archives of women's mental health · 2019Pooled it
- A systematic review of ethnic minority women's experiences of perinatal mental health conditions and services in Europe.PloS one · 2019Pooled it
- The use of an innovative clinical decision support system focused on psychosocial vulnerabilities during pregnancy: the Born in Belgium Professionals Platform.BMC health services research · 2026Observational
- Strengthening the standard of care for perinatal substance use disorders: reproductive health provider perspectives on training, integration, and system improvements.Substance abuse treatment, prevention, and policy · 2026Article
- Barriers to accessing perinatal mental health services and suggestions for improvement: qualitative study of women of Black and south Asian backgrounds.BJPsych bulletin · 2025Article
- Racial, ethnic, and neighborhood disparities in diagnosis of perinatal psychiatric illness.AJOG global reports · 2025Article
- When midwife continuity of carer is the policy proposal, what is the problem of perinatal health inequalities represented to be?SN social sciences · 2025Review
- Current policy and practice for the identification, management, and treatment of postpartum anxiety in the United Kingdom: a focus group study.BMC psychiatry · 2024Article
- Postnatal depression in British mothers of African and Caribbean origin: a randomised controlled trial of learning through play plus culturally adapted cognitive behaviour therapy compared with psychoeducation.Frontiers in psychiatry · 2024Article
- Disparities in who is asked about their perinatal mental health: an analysis of cross-sectional data from consecutive national maternity surveys.BMC pregnancy and childbirth · 2023Article
- Reducing psychiatric illness in the perinatal period: A review and commentary.World journal of psychiatry · 2023Review
- Article
- A mixed methods study to understand perinatal mental healthcare referral decisions among midwives and health visitors in the UK.Frontiers in psychiatry · 2023Article
- Mental health status of pregnant women during COVID-19 in healthcare centers of Iran: A cross-sectional study.PloS one · 2023Article
- Barriers and enablers to postpartum depression and anxiety screening: A qualitative study of Victorian maternal and child health nurses' practices.Health & social care in the community · 2022Article
- Mental health service use among pregnant and early postpartum women.Social psychiatry and psychiatric epidemiology · 2022Article
Corrections and comments
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Authors and funding
2 authors.
Funding
Abstract
backgroundPregnancy and the postnatal period is a period of potential vulnerability for women and families. It is UK policy that all women are asked about their mental health and wellbeing early in pregnancy and following the birth to help detect potential problems and prevent serious adverse outcome. However, identification of mental health problems in pregnancy may be less than 50 %. The aim of the study was to find out which women are asked about their mood and mental health during pregnancy and postnatally, and about offer and uptake of treatment.
methodsSecondary analysis of a national maternity survey carried out in 2014 which asked about sociodemographic factors, care in pregnancy, childbirth, and the postnatal period with specific questions on emotional and mental health.
resultsThe usable response rate to the survey was 47 % (4571 women). Most women recalled being asked about their mental health in pregnancy (82 %) and in the postnatal period (90 %). However, antenatally, Asian and older women were less likely to be asked and to be offered treatment. In the postnatal period, differences were more marked. Non-white women, those living in more deprived areas, and those who had received less education were less likely to be asked about their mental health, to be offered treatment, and to receive support. Women with a trusting relationship with their midwife were more likely to be asked about their mental health.
conclusionThe inequities described in this study suggest that the inverse care law is operating in relation to this aspect of maternity care. Those women most likely to be in need of support and treatment are least likely to be offered it and may be at risk of serious adverse outcomes.
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