Tens of thousands of women across Britain could be living with undiagnosed post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) following childbirth, with GPs effectively “diagnosing in the dark” due to a lack of proper tools and training, a new report has warned.
Researchers from the University of East Anglia (UEA), in collaboration with City St George’s University of London and the University of Birmingham, found that emotional and psychological trauma after birth often goes unrecognised or is misdiagnosed during postnatal GP consultations .
The analysis warns that around one in 20 postnatal women develop PTSD – adding up to tens of thousands of mothers across the UK . The condition can develop after a difficult pregnancy or birth, triggering symptoms such as flashbacks, nightmares, anxiety and persistent negative thoughts. It can even occur after a medically uncomplicated delivery.
Lead researcher and GP Dr Megan Foreman, from UEA’s Norwich Medical School, said: ‘Research shows that around one in 20 postnatal women develop PTSD, which is equivalent to tens of thousands of mothers across the UK.
‘It usually happens after a traumatic pregnancy or delivery, but it can also happen after a medically uncomplicated birth. The consequences of untreated birth trauma for women and families can be far-reaching.
‘Some women become so anxious that they repeatedly seek reassurance from healthcare professionals for themselves or their baby. Others avoid healthcare services altogether, including during future pregnancies.
‘They may also request elective Caesarean sections in later pregnancies to regain a sense of control. Or others may reject recommended medical care or opt for home births, even in high-risk pregnancies, to avoid interventions associated with their previous experience.’
Suicide remains the leading cause of death among women between six weeks and one year after pregnancy in the UK from 2021 to 2023, with researchers describing these deaths as the ‘tip of the iceberg’
A key concern raised in the report is that GPs are being left without the necessary tools to identify and treat birth-related PTSD. Although guidance from NICE and NHS England mentions birth trauma, GPs are not given practical advice on how to measure severity, assess risk, or decide who requires specialist treatment.
Dr Foreman said: ‘The biggest issue is that GPs are effectively ‘diagnosing in the dark’ because they are not equipped with the information or tools to make proper assessments’.
The researchers are now calling for urgent work to develop clear guidance, including a validated assessment tool that could be used during the routine six-to-eight-week postnatal appointment. However, they warn that the process must be handled sensitively, with better GP training and clearer referral pathways into specialist services.
Dr Foreman added: ‘GPs are uniquely placed to spot warning signs. But without better evidence and practical tools, many mothers with childbirth-related PTSD risk being left to cope alone, without the support they need’
Photo: Helena Lopes
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