Over Half Report Mental Health Challenges Around Pregnancy

Editor’s Note: This research was conducted in partnership with Pivotal, a group of organizations founded by Melinda French Gates to accelerate social progress for women and young people in the U.S. and around the world.

WASHINGTON, D.C. — More than half of U.S. women (54%) who have given birth in the past 20 years say they experienced depression, anxiety or another mental health challenge during pregnancy or within 12 months after their most recent birth.

Younger women, who are more likely to have given birth recently, more commonly report mental health challenges. Sixty-three percent of those aged 18 to 34 who have given birth report experiencing a mental health challenge during pregnancy or after birth, compared with 51% of those aged 35 to 44 and 48% of those aged 45 to 54.

Physical health issues beyond typical recovery are less common but still affect about one in four women. Twenty-four percent of women say they experienced physical health issues or symptoms beyond typical recovery in the 12 months following their most recent birth.

These findings are based on responses from 1,088 U.S. women who have given birth in the past 20 years, surveyed July 14-22, 2026, via the Gallup Panel as part of the Gallup-Pivotal Women’s Health Survey. The broader study examines women’s experiences with health and healthcare across different stages of life.

Nearly Half Who Sought Pregnancy and Postpartum Care Say They Had to Push to Be Taken Seriously

Among women who experienced physical health issues beyond typical postpartum recovery, 81% sought care from a healthcare provider. Their experiences with that care were mixed. Seven in 10 say their providers proactively addressed their symptoms, but nearly half, 49%, say they had to push to be taken seriously or receive treatment. Another 37% were unable to get the care they felt they needed despite trying.

These experiences are not mutually exclusive and may reflect differences in the care women received across multiple providers. Overall, 28% describe the care they received for their physical health as very helpful, while 45% say the care was somewhat helpful.

Pregnancy and Postpartum Health Challenges Affect Daily Life, Family and Work

Nearly two-thirds of women (62%) who have given birth in the past 20 years report at least one negative consequence tied to their health during or after pregnancy. This rises to 80% among women who experienced physical health issues beyond typical recovery and 78% among those who experienced mental health challenges during or after pregnancy.

These challenges also show up in women’s everyday responsibilities. Thirty-seven percent say pregnancy- or birth-related physical or mental health challenges made it harder to care for themselves, while 26% say they made it harder to care for their baby or family.

Work consequences range from changes to women’s daily routines to extended leave and delayed recovery. Thirty percent made changes or accommodations to their work environment, 28% returned to work before they felt physically ready, 27% took more frequent or longer breaks, and 26% took an extended leave or did not return to work.

Lower-Income Mothers More Often Return to Work Before Feeling Physically Ready

Women in lower-income households more often report work changes following health challenges during or after pregnancy. Among women in households earning less than $50,000, 35% returned to work before they felt physically ready, compared with 19% of those earning $100,000 or more.

The pattern extends across several other work outcomes. For example, lower-income women are twice as likely to say they reduced their hours (30% vs. 15%) and more than twice as likely to say they changed jobs (30% vs. 13%).

Implications

Physical and mental health challenges are common during pregnancy and the year after birth and can make it harder for women to care for themselves, manage family responsibilities and return to work. For many women, recovery is happening alongside the demands of caring for a baby and managing other daily responsibilities.

Care also falls short for many women during pregnancy and postpartum recovery. Most women with physical health issues who sought care feel their issues were addressed proactively, but many still report experiencing difficulty being taken seriously or getting the treatment they felt they needed.

For women with fewer financial resources to get the care they need, recovery can also come with added work or economic pressures. Lower-income women more often return to work before they feel physically ready, reduce their hours or change jobs altogether.

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