The Hidden Struggles of New Mothers in India
Hundreds of mothers from across India opened up about their emotional journeys through pregnancy and early motherhood. This reflection of mothers' voices sheds light on what they’re feeling, what support they need and what’s still missing.
Survey Insights at a Glance
The findings reveal deep emotional needs and gaps in support for mothers in the perinatal period.
Over half of the mothers said they felt unprepared for parenthood not just physically, but emotionally.​​
Over one third reported signs of emotional distress during or after pregnancy but most never sought help.​​​​
Most women felt emotionally unsupported by their partner during one of the most vulnerable times of their lives.​
Most mothers did not receive any screening or education about mental health during pregnancy or after childbirth.
A significant number of mothers left the workforce after childbirth.
Many mothers did not receive their full legal maternity benefits.
Why Did We Do This?
Emotional distress during and after pregnancy is common, but it's rarely acknowledged and even more rarely supported. We carried out this survey to listen to mothers, bring their experiences to light, break the stigma and build a foundation for system-level change.
Who Were These Mothers?
404 Voices from
Across India
Mothers from across the country with 1 in 4 from small towns and cities.
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Early Parenting to Seasoned Caregivers
Over half became mothers in the last 5 years, others shared longer-term reflections.
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Across Age Groups &
Life Stages
Ages ranged from 20s to 40s capturing all phases of motherhood.
If this strikes a chord, let’s connect.
Whether you're a policymaker, healthcare provider, NGO or simply someone who cares, we’d love to collaborate to amplify the conversation and make maternal mental health more accessible. Just drop us a line at contact@happinest.life