Maternal Mental Health Awareness Week takes place from May 4–10, 2026, with World Maternal Mental Health Day on Wednesday, May 6. This year marks the 10th anniversary of the campaign, and the theme is “A Decade of Voices” — honoring the women, families, and advocates who have spent the past ten years pushing for better understanding and better care.
Pregnancy and the months after birth are often described as joyful, but the truth is more complicated. About 1 in 5 women experiences anxiety, depression, or another mental health concern during this time. Many feel guilty for not feeling “the way they’re supposed to feel,” and many tell us that when they spoke up, they didn’t feel listened to.
This year’s theme is about exactly that: being heard. If you are pregnant, recently had a baby, or experienced pregnancy loss, your feelings matter. It is okay to ask for help. It is okay to say things are hard. Talking to your doctor, midwife, or a trusted person in your life is a brave first step—and effective support is available.
Pelvic floor and birth-related changes can also affect how you feel emotionally. Bladder leakage, pain with intimacy, or pelvic discomfort after birth are common, and they can take a toll on your mood and confidence. These are real concerns worth bringing up with your provider—not something you have to just live with.