Study finds undiagnosed PTSD in thousands of new mothers
A new study reveals that thousands of women experience undiagnosed PTSD after childbirth each year, highlighting gaps in postnatal mental health care.
The Full Story
A plain summary built from the channels that reported this story.
A new study has found that tens of thousands of women in the UK may be living with undiagnosed post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) after childbirth. The research, led by GP Dr Megan Foreman, estimates that around 30,000 women develop PTSD following birth every year, but many are not identified because GPs lack the training and guidance needed to spot the signs.
The report highlights a significant gap in postnatal mental health care. National guidelines followed by GPs do not include detailed information on how to recognise PTSD symptoms, how to assess women, or how to decide who needs specialist support. As a result, many women are misdiagnosed with postnatal depression and given treatment that does not address the underlying trauma.
Dr Foreman, who herself experienced a traumatic birth and struggled to get a correct diagnosis, said the condition is often missed. She described symptoms such as nightmares, flashbacks, feeling constantly on edge, and low or anxious moods. She stressed that while depression and PTSD can overlap, the treatments are different, and treating depression alone may not resolve PTSD symptoms.
Rachel Coles, a campaigner who also went through a traumatic birth, shared her own experience. She said it took about 15 months before she saw a GP, and she was initially diagnosed with postnatal depression and anxiety. It was only after seeing a private therapist that she was told she had PTSD. She described losing years of her life to the condition, and said a miscarriage in between made things worse because blood was her trigger.
Both women are calling for better support for new mothers and clearer guidance for medical professionals. They also urged women who suspect they may have PTSD to speak up. Rachel advised: "If you think you might have PTSD, say the words." She pointed to charities such as the Birth Trauma Association as sources of help, and reassured women that effective treatments exist.
The study adds to growing concerns about the state of postnatal mental health services in the UK. Experts say that with proper recognition and referral, many women could recover more quickly and avoid years of unnecessary suffering.
On screen
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Key Claims
Claims reported during this story's coverage, mapped by channel. Ordered by how many channels carried each claim.
| Claim | ITV |
|---|---|
| Around 30,000 UK women develop PTSD after childbirth each year. | |
| National guidelines for GPs lack detailed information on spotting PTSD symptoms. | |
| Women are often misdiagnosed with postnatal depression instead of PTSD. |
Channel Perspectives
What each channel focused on, with key quotes.
ITV1 focused on the human impact of the study, pairing the research findings with the personal story of campaigner Rachel Coles and the author Dr Megan Foreman. The tone was supportive and practical, offering clear advice for women who may be struggling. It highlighted the misdiagnosis problem and the lack of GP training, while also giving a platform to the experts to explain symptoms and next steps.
- “Firstly, you're not alone. There are great charities out there who can help, like the Birth Trauma Association, who are brilliant, but talk to your GP, do not leave it.”
- “We know that an estimated 30,000 UK women suffer with PTSD after childbirth every year.”
- “Women are being often misdiagnosed as having postnatal depression, and that's quite dangerous, isn't it?”
Broadcast Timeline
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