The likelihood of depressive episodes doubles during this period, compared with other times in a woman’s life.[11] This figure rises for women of color, those in disadvantaged socioeconomic groups who face systemic health inequalities, and women who have experienced loss (miscarriage, stillbirth, neonatal death or a child taken into care).[12],[13],[14] Suicide is the leading cause of death in women in the perinatal period between six weeks and one year after giving birth in the UK.[15]
