"I'm Afraid to Have Another Child"... Mothers Who Experience Postpartum Depression More Likely to Give Up on Additional Childbirth

A new study has found that mental health crises experienced by mothers after childbirth play a significant role in discouraging them from having additional children. The analysis suggests that prolonged postpartum depression, which has been rapidly increasing in prevalence in recent years, is also linked to the country’s low birth rate.

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According to the Korea Institute for Health and Social Affairs’ study, “Research on the Status and Improvement of Postpartum Depression” (authors: Lee Soyoung, Kim Jayeon, Hong Hyeyoung, Lim Jiyoung), mothers who experienced postpartum depression were more likely to give up on having more children compared to those who did not.

An analysis of National Health Insurance Service statistics showed that the 12-month postpartum depression prevalence rate increased from 1.38% in 2015 to 3.20% in 2022. This represents more than a 2.3-fold increase over seven years. During the same period, the six-month postpartum prevalence rate also more than doubled, rising from 0.73% to 1.85%.

According to the 2024 Postpartum Care Survey, 68.5% of mothers who gave birth in 2023 reported experiencing temporary feelings of depression after childbirth.

While postpartum depression often begins immediately after delivery, there are many cases where symptoms persist for more than six months. Among these mothers, 6.8% received an official diagnosis of postpartum depression from a medical professional.

The most significant cause of depression cited by mothers was the rapid physical changes following childbirth. 88.5% of respondents identified changes in physical health as a major factor, followed by sudden changes in living environment and the burden of child-rearing. In particular, the so-called “solo parenting” environment-where mothers have to care for their babies alone amid disrupted day-night cycles-and changes in appearance were found to contribute to decreased self-esteem and psychological withdrawal.

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The researchers pointed out that these mental health issues can exacerbate the country’s declining birth rate. Even if mothers initially planned to have more children at the time of marriage, those who experienced postpartum depression or deep feelings of sadness were more likely to abandon plans for further childbirth than those who did not.

However, the current support policies are considered insufficient to meet the needs on the ground. The representative support program, “Early Life Health Management Project,” is operated at only 73 public health centers nationwide as of 2025, meaning assistance is limited to specific regions.

There is also a lack of dedicated support systems for postpartum depression, and even when mothers report depressive symptoms, there are significant barriers to accessing professional counseling or treatment.

The report recommends that postpartum mental health policies shift from a treatment-focused, reactive approach to one centered on prevention and early detection. It emphasizes the need to strengthen financial support for low-income mothers and to expand the Early Life Health Management Project nationwide.

The researchers stated, “Protecting postpartum mental health is directly linked not only to the quality of life for mothers but also to the healthy growth of children, family stability, and the sustainability of society,” calling for active policy support from both the government and local authorities.

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