Montreal Antenatal Well-Being Study (MAWS) is one of the largest studies in Canada seeking to better understand the combination of factors making some women more likely than others to experience anxiety and/or depression during (and after) pregnancy.
As many as one in five women struggle with their mental health during pregnancy or after giving birth.
This frequently goes unnoticed and untreated, causing unnecessary suffering for women and potentially affecting the well-being of their children. Over the last 30 years a number psychological and social factors have been shown to increase risk for anxiety or depression in pregnancy. Yet, despite this knowledge we still struggle to identify women who might benefit from a little more support during or after pregnancy. MAWS seeks to change this. By better understanding this, we can help policy makers and health professionals to support women and improve women’s mental health during pregnancy and after giving birth more effectively.
Initial funding for MAWS was provided by the Ludmer Centre, and continues through Healthy Brains for Health Lives, the Brains & Behaviour Research Foundation NARSAD Young Investigator Grant, the Ferring COVID-19 Investigational Grant in Reproductive Medicine and Maternal Health, a CIFAR Fellowship in the Child and Brain Development Program, and the Chamandy Foundation.
