Kolkata: Emotional well-being deserves as much attention as physical health during motherhood, experts said at a discussion held to mark Maternal Mental Health Awareness Week 2026.
The session at Annantaa – Power of the Mind in Sector V brought together gynaecologists Dr Indrani Lodh and Dr Basab Mukherjee, along with psychotherapists Vidhi Bansal and Madhuri Sarda. The discussion explored the emotional challenges women can face before conception, during pregnancy and after childbirth.
Fertility struggles can begin early
Dr Lodh noted that emotional pressure can begin during fertility treatment, with women often carrying anxiety about why they are unable to conceive and when pregnancy might happen.
She said doctors need to care for both the physical and emotional needs of patients, particularly because fertility treatment cannot guarantee an outcome.
Pregnancy brings new fears
Dr Mukherjee highlighted the expectations placed on women once they announce a pregnancy. Alongside physical changes, mothers can experience anxiety about medical emergencies, the baby’s health, food choices and everyday activities.
Sleep deprivation, relationship pressures, career concerns and social expectations can further increase emotional stress.
The panellists stressed that counselling and active listening can provide women with a safe, non-judgmental space to express fears that they may hesitate to discuss in front of family members.
Stronger support systems needed
The experts also pointed to the reduced support available to women in many nuclear families. Social media can provide information, but repeated exposure to anxiety-inducing content may also increase worries.
The panellists emphasised that professional guidance and human connection remain important despite the growing availability of information online.
Recognising maternal mental health as an essential part of overall well-being, they said, can help mothers feel supported rather than pressured to remain emotionally strong through every stage of motherhood.
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