A new study from the UK is suggesting that one in four pregnant women suffer mental health issues.

The research, which was conducted by a team at King’s College in London, involved interviewing 545 pregnant women over the age of 16 who were attending appointments throughout their pregnancy. Of the women who were interviewed, one in four suffered from mental health issues such as depression, anxiety, eating disorders and obsessive-compulsive disorder. According to iNews, the lead author of the report, Louise Howard, said:

"In clinical practice, maternity professionals need to identify whether or not a woman has any mental disorder, not only mood disorders which until recently have been the main focus of concern. This study supports the NICE recommendation that women should be asked, by a non-judgmental and supportive health professional, at all contacts in pregnancy and after birth about their emotional well-being and are given the opportunity to respond to these structured questions."

A similar study in Ireland last year found that one in six pregnant women were at 'probable risk' of depression. The Well Before Birth study, which was carried out by the Irish Obstetric Services, in conjunction with Trinity College Dublin, between January and September 2016, used the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) as a screening tool. The researchers found that 16% of pregnant women are at a "probable risk" of depression during their pregnancy, with varying probabilities for depression depending on women's age, The researchers found that 16percent of pregnant women are at a 'probable risk' of depression during their pregnancy, with varying probabilities for depression depending on women's age, socio-economic status and what stage of pregnancy they were at. The risk of prenatal depression was even higher for women under 18 at 22percent.