Birthmarks
The Cost of Motherhood
A first-of-its-kind national report on the realities of labour, childbirth, and maternal care in Canada.
Beyond the celebration of welcoming a new life lies a more complex story – one that too often goes unspoken. A new report by Neinstein, Birthmarks: The Cost of Motherhood, sheds light on the real experiences of Canadian mothers, uncovering the physical, emotional, and psychological impact of labour and childbirth.
Motherhood is often framed through moments of joy – celebration, connection, and new beginnings. But for many women, the journey into motherhood is also shaped by uncertainty, trauma, and lasting mental and physical health impacts.
Birthmarks: The Cost of Motherhood is a first-of-its-kind report that examines the full spectrum of maternal experiences during labour and childbirth. Drawing on insights from over 1,000 mothers across Canada, the report highlights critical gaps in patient care, communication, and advocacy, while elevating the voices of women whose experiences are often overlooked.
This research reflects what we see every day in our practice: maternal care is not one-size-fits-all. The mother’s experience matters – before, during, and long after childbirth.
The Reality of Childbirth
While many mothers report positive birth experiences, a significant number describe their labour and childbirth as challenging or distressing, particularly in cases involving complications or limited support.
1 in 3 mothers describe their labour as distressing, rising to 51% among those without a support person.
Labour and childbirth is not one-size-fits-all. Recognizing the full spectrum of experiences is critical to improving maternal care and ensuring women feel supported.
The Lasting Impact on Mental Health
The impact of childbirth doesn’t end at delivery. The emotional and psychological impact from labour and childbirth can be just as long-lasting as the physical, but it’s far less visible.
Nearly half (46%) of mothers report lasting effects on their mental health, including anxiety and emotional distress that can persist long after physical recovery.
Maternal care must extend beyond physical outcomes to include meaningful, ongoing psychological support. Recognizing the toll the labour and childbirth experience can have on mothers is an essential first step in reducing stigma and ensuring that their full recoveries are supported and acknowledged.
Advocacy & Patient Voice
Childbirth is a moment of vulnerability – and feeling heard matters. Yet many mothers report feeling dismissed, unheard, or pressured into decisions. Even small breakdowns in communication can have lasting consequences.
32% of mothers surveyed felt dismissed or ignored by medical professionals at times during their labour and childbirth, and 28% felt pressured into medical decisions.
These experiences highlight the need for stronger patient advocacy and more transparent, responsive care. Empowering women to advocate for themselves during childbirth and labour is essential, but that responsibility cannot sit with mothers alone. Maternal support during labour and childbirth should be consistent, responsive and centred on the mother’s voice, no matter how routine or complex the delivery may be.
Shifting the Narrative
The cultural narrative around childbirth often centers on the baby, while overlooking the mother’s experience.
65% of mothers feel this societal expectation persists, and
38% feel unable to openly talk about traumatic birth experiences.
Birthmarks calls for a more honest conversation; one that makes space for both joy and difficulty, and acknowledges the full reality of motherhood. Encouraging mothers to speak candidly about their experiences is essential to breaking down stigma and ensuring that the full cost of motherhood is recognized, validated, and addressed.
Driving Change in Maternal Care
The cost of motherhood extends far beyond what is traditionally recognized. By bringing these experiences to light, Birthmarks aims to spark important conversations, strengthen patient advocacy, and push for more compassionate, accountable care.
At Neinstein, we are committed to standing alongside mothers – advocating for their rights, amplifying their voices, and working towards safer healthcare systems for all.