Being a parent is a beautiful, life-changing experience—but it can also be deeply challenging, physically and emotionally. A major new study published in JAMA Internal Medicine confirms what many parents, especially moms, have long felt: Maternal health in the United States is getting worse, not better.

Supporting both babies and their parents is essential for healthy families. This new research brings much-needed attention to the state of maternal health—and why investing in parents' well-being is a public health imperative.

What the Study Found

Researchers analyzed data from more than 10 million U.S. mothers between 2016 and 2020. They looked at self-reported health—what moms said about their own physical and mental well-being during the year following childbirth. Here’s what they found:

  • The percentage of women reporting poor general health rose from 1.5% in 2016 to 2.8% in 2020.
  • Reports of poor mental health nearly doubled, from 6.5% in 2016 to 12.3% in 2020.
  • Chronic physical conditions (like hypertension, obesity, and diabetes) and functional limitations also increased.
  • The most affected? Black, Native American, and Alaska Native women, who consistently reported worse health than white women across all measures.

This is more than just a bump in the data. It points to a real and growing maternal health crisis—one that affects not only moms, but also the babies and families who depend on them.

Why This Matters for Parents Today

If you're pregnant or parenting a little one, these findings might feel equal parts unsettling and validating. Many parents are struggling, but it’s not a personal failing. They often don’t get the support they need!

Mothers are experiencing higher rates of mental distress, physical exhaustion, and chronic illness, often while trying to care for newborns with little sleep and limited help. This burden is magnified for marginalized communities, where disparities in healthcare access and support services are still far too common.

The message is clear: Maternal health needs to be a national priority—not just during pregnancy, but well into the first year postpartum and beyond.

The First Year Is Critical for the Whole Family

While we often focus on a baby's first year of life (for good reason!), this study highlights how essential it is to care for parents during that time, too. Physical recovery, hormonal shifts, identity changes, and lack of sleep all collide in that first year. When those needs go unaddressed, health can spiral.

Improving sleep, accessing support, and having time to heal are all foundational to both mental and physical recovery. Resources that make early parenting less overwhelming—whether it’s a helpful friend or a reliable tool, like SNOO which adds sleep while also calming crying—can help lighten the load.

How to Support Your Health as a Parent

Whether you’re expecting your first or chasing your toddler, here are a few ways to prioritize your health in a system that often asks parents to “just push through.”

1. Speak up about mental health.

If you’re feeling down, overwhelmed, or anxious, talk to your provider—postpartum depression and anxiety are common and treatable. You’re not alone. And check out these mental health resources for new parents.

2. Make sleep a priority.

Yes, even with a baby! Lean on safe, evidence-based strategies that help your family rest better. Here are a few ways to prioritize your own sleep.

3. Ask for—and accept—help.

Whether it’s a meal train, laundry folding, or baby rocking, community matters. Let people in when they offer to help. These are some tasks to consider delegating!

4. Check in with your body

Don’t skip your postpartum check-up, and let your doctor know if you’re experiencing pain, exhaustion, or changes that don’t feel normal. (Here’s what to expect from postpartum recovery.)

5. Know your risk—and your rights.

We know that moms of color are especially at risk for complications postpartum. Don’t be afraid to advocate for your needs and consider seeking providers who acknowledge and address racial disparities in care. (Check out these advocacy tips for Black families.) All parents deserve respectful, high-quality healthcare. (Related: Mental Health Resources for BIPOC Parents)

6. If you’re expecting, make a plan now!

The postpartum period is a whirlwind, so it can help to come up with a game plan before you’re up to your elbows in diapers. Our Postpartum Mental Wellness Toolkit has exercises to help you mentally and emotionally prep for this tender period.

The Bottom Line

We need to do more to support new parents—physically, mentally, and emotionally. That includes better healthcare access, stronger community support, and more resources that make parenting sustainable. Healthy, happy babies start with healthy, supported parents.

More on Mental Health:

 

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REFERENCES

  • Admon, L. K., Dalton, V. K., Moniz, M. H., et al. (2024). Trends in self-reported health among U.S. mothers, 2016-2020. JAMA Internal Medicine.
  • Davis, N. L., Smoots, A. N., & Goodman, D. A. (2020). Pregnancy-related deaths: Data from 14 U.S. maternal mortality review committees, 2008–2017. Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR), 69(19), 523–528.
  • Taylor, B. L., McLemore, M. R., & Adamu, A. M. (2022). Racism, adverse childhood experiences, and perinatal health. American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology, 228(6), 648–659.

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Disclaimer: The information on our site is NOT medical advice for any specific person or condition. It is only meant as general information. If you have any medical questions and concerns about your child or yourself, please contact your health provider.