Overall
Anxiety
Depression
History of Post-Partum Depression
Mental health issues during and after pregnancy, such as depression and anxiety can go undiagnosed because many of the signs and symptoms, such as fatigue, are also associated with parenting infants. Mental health disorders can cause substantial suffering, and interfere with the lives of those affected and their families. For more information on perinatal mood and anxiety disorder, please see the Raising Children section on the health unit’s website.
Data on this page are from the Better Outcomes Registry & Network (BORN) unless otherwise indicated. Note that individuals may report more than one mental health concern.
Overall
Among Simcoe Muskoka residents who gave birth in 2018 just over one quarter (27.1% (25.9 %, 28.4%) reported a mental health concern during their pregnancy. Among those who reported a mental health concern, the most common concerns were anxiety (76.6% (74.3%, 78.8%)) and depression (50.3% (45.0%, 50.3%)).
In Ontario, 19.4% (19.2%, 19.6%)) of individuals reported a mental health concern during pregnancy, which is significantly lower than in Simcoe Muskoka. Specifically, the percentage of individuals reporting anxiety during pregnancy among those with any concern in Ontario (68.8% (68.2%, 69.3%)) is significantly lower than Simcoe Muskoka (76.6% (74.3%, 78.8%)). This is consistent with the trend in Simcoe Muskoka youth and young adults (20-44 years) as described on the Anxiety Disorder page.
The percentage of Simcoe Muskoka residents who report mental health concerns during pregnancy has significantly increased over time; from 20.2% (19.0%, 21.3%) in 2013 to 27.1% (25.9 %, 28.4%) in 2018. A similar, significant increase was observed for the province of Ontario overall. The increase, both locally and provincially, is largely due to the increase in anxiety during pregnancy, not depression. This is consistent with the trend in Simcoe Muskoka youth and young adults (20-44 years) as described on the Anxiety Disorder page.
Anxiety
Among Simcoe Muskoka residents who gave birth in 2018, 20.8% (19.7%, 21.9%) reported anxiety during their pregnancy. Anxiety was significantly more common in younger age groups than older groups, with 35.6% (31.7%, 39.6%) of 15-24 year olds, 19.6% (18.3%, 20.9%) of 25-34 year olds and 15.8% (13.7%, 18.2%) of 35+ year olds reporting anxiety during pregnancy.
Depression
Among Simcoe Muskoka residents who gave birth in 201812.9% (12.0%, 13.8%) reported depression during their pregnancy. Depression was significantly more common in younger age groups when compared to older age groups, with 27.9.0% (24.3%, 25.1%) of new mothers 15-24 years old reporting depression during pregnancy, compared with 11.2% (10.2%, 12.3%) of 25-34 year olds and 10.2% (8.4%, 12.2%) of 35-49 year olds.
Seven-in-ten (71.9%) of individuals who reported feeling depressed during their pregnancy also reported feelings of anxiety.
History of Post-Partum Depression
Having a history of post-partum depression (PPD) increases the risk for post-partum depression in the current pregnancy. Among Simcoe Muskoka residents who gave birth to in 2018 and who were not having their first baby, approximately one-in-twenty (5.6% (4.8%, 6.5%)) reported a history of post-partum depression. This is significantly higher than the provincial average of 4.4% (4.3%, 4.6%). The prevalence of PPD in Simcoe Muskoka has remained steady between 2013 and 2018.
For more information on perinatal mood and anxiety disorder, please see the Raising Children section on the health unit’s website.