Two new Swedish studies illuminate mental health around childbirth
Two large studies from Karolinska Institutet use Swedish national registers to examine mental health before, during, and after pregnancy. They cover nearly 1.8 million pregnancies from 2003 to 2019 and include both mothers and fathers. The results show that mental health problems often emerge after birth, especially postpartum depression and postpartum psychosis, while suicide attempts among new mothers remain rare but potentially devastating and deserve ongoing attention.
Key findings from the Swedish cohorts
Depression and psychosis rise after birth
In the national cohort, researchers found that mental health problems increase after birth. During pregnancy, new diagnoses generally fall, but after delivery the risk climbs again, most notably for depression and psychosis. For postpartum depression, the risk is about 20 percent higher during weeks 5 to 15 after birth than in the year before pregnancy. For postpartum psychosis, the risk is up to seven times higher during the first 20 weeks after birth.
Impact of screening guidelines since 2010
National guidelines for screening depression during pregnancy were introduced in 2010. By comparing women who gave birth before and after 2010, researchers found that the peak in postpartum depression diagnoses occurred earlier after the guidelines were implemented. The finding suggests that screening enables earlier identification and faster access to support, rather than merely increasing the number of diagnosed cases.
Additionally, the studies note that anxiety and substance use disorders were less common during pregnancy and after birth, likely reflecting biological changes, lifestyle shifts, and greater contact with healthcare services during this period.
Suicide attempts: mothers versus fathers
A separate analysis shows that mothers are less likely than fathers to attempt suicide during and after pregnancy. For fathers, the risk dips in the first ten weeks after birth but then rises again. Although suicide attempts during and after pregnancy are rare, they have devastating consequences and are often preventable with regular mental health checks for new parents.
The findings reinforce the importance of routine screening and follow-up during pregnancy and the postpartum period, so that parents in difficulty can receive timely support.
What this means for care
Healthcare providers should maintain regular mental health assessments for both parents during pregnancy and after birth. The evidence supports ongoing screening, early detection, and accessible interventions to reduce the duration of distress and improve outcomes for families.
Bottom line
Overall, the Swedish studies indicate higher risks of postpartum depression and postpartum psychosis after birth, set against a backdrop of fewer suicide attempts among mothers. National screening guidelines appear to help identify problems earlier, enabling quicker access to care and support.
