Pregnancy and the postpartum experiences represent transformative stagesof a woman’s life that, in some cases, are accompanied by mental health challenges. In the transition from pregnancy to postpartum, the focus shifts from the mother to the baby, potentially leaving the woman to feel alone andoverlooked in navigating the complex emotional and physical challenges of recovering from childbirth and caring for a small human. In this study, we argue that the mental health and well-being of a pregnant or postpartum woman is shaped by the level and type of supportive relationships they have(i.e, interpersonal versus healthcare provider) because such supportive relationships promote psychological energy required for their task. Using data from the 2025 Pregnancy Journey Survey, this study examines the association between having supportive interpersonal and healthcare provider relationships and the woman’s mental health, and whether these associations are mediated by the satisfaction of their basic psychological needs for competence, autonomy, and belonging.
