Liverpool study reveals hidden anxiety of lockdown new mums
A new mum we've spoken to from the Wirral backs up the findings.
Last updated 12th Mar 2021
There are fears the number of mums suffering post natal depression after giving birth in lockdown is spiraling out of control.
A study by the University of Liverpool has found around 60% of new mums have undiagnosed anxiety.
That's FOUR TIMES the usual rate.
Some of the blame is being put down to routine health checks being postponed because of Covid restrictions.
Not being able to see family and friends is an added factor.
Anna from the Wirral gave birth to her second little boy last June.
She says it made her feel like a bad mum.
"I felt that I hadn't bonded and that was a terrible guilt.
"Those natural feelings hadn't come. What if they never came?"
The study examined the psychological and social experiences of over 600 women with babies between birth and 12 weeks old during the first UK lockdown.
It found that 43% of the women met the criteria for clinically relevant depression and 61% met the criteria for anxiety.
Anna told us:
"All the things that I had relied upon with my first child to help and support me like baby groups and the health visitor calling around, none of this happened.
"We had no visits from the health visitor. There were no check ups.
"All of that regular stuff, the 'checking in to make sure you are okay' had just disappeared."