Why postpartum depression affects all parents

Becoming a new parent is a pivotal moment in any adult’s life — a moment and transition that will require mental health support for all parents, regardless of whether or not they carried the child.

Up to 25% of new fathers experience some form of postpartum depression, according to a study conducted by the U.S. National Library of Medicine. And yet, a survey from family health platform Ovia Health found that 30% of partners didn’t take any parental leave after the birth of their child, either because it wasn’t available or feasible for them to do so.

“Fathers and other non-childbearing caregivers are often overlooked and under-supported during this very critical transition in their lives,” says Gina Nebesar, chief product officer & co-founder at Ovia Health. “They’re overlooked by the healthcare system, employers, society and even within their own families.”

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Perinatal mental health refers to supporting the emotional well-being of parents throughout the entire childbearing journey, including after the baby is born. Postpartum depression affects up to 1 in 8 women globally, according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention. Symptoms can include behavioral and mood changes — such as anxiety, guilt and restlessness — and even more serious outcomes like fatigue, weight loss and loss of life for both the parent or the child.

But even in 2022, issues of postpartum depression or anxiety are often considered taboo subjects, according to Nebesar — and that stigma can make it even more challenging for parents who may not feel entitled to those emotions.

“There's no standard of care, no criteria, no validated screener,” she says. “There's no postpartum checkups for the non-childbearing partner, and there isn't even preventative care beyond being encouraged to accompany your partner in those prenatal visits, which is also really challenging.”

Nebesar reports instances where fathers and non-childbearing parents will disclose feelings of unhappiness, anxiety and unwelcome thoughts after childbirth, which, if left untreated and unresolved, can create a sense of disconnect between a parent and their child. Worse yet, that partner may swallow their feelings entirely, because at no point in the family-building process were they taught that it was normal or acceptable. And, unlike their childbearing partners, they are expected to return to work often immediately and efficiently, despite the emotional toll they may be struggling with.

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“We live in this society where there isn't a broad recognition of the father or non-childbearing identity shift that comes with becoming a parent,” she says. “They're alienated from medical forms, from transition support and from behavioral health resources. There's a lack of community for them.”

The only way to enact change is for companies to look beyond mothers when considering their family building policies. Currently, roughly 40% of U.S. companies offer paid parental leave for both parents, according to a recent survey conducted by consulting firm Mercer — meaning 60% of organizations don’t offer any kind of paid paternity leave.

“Step one is creating a framework for mothers and partners to take the time needed to take care of their wellbeing — and feel encouraged to do so,” Nebesar says. “This can take the form of flexible leave and inclusive PTO policies and family friendly benefits. Start talking and normalizing and de-stigmatizing both perspectives.”