February 11, 2026 - 226 views
New research suggests there is strong public backing across North Wales for better health and well-being support for women in the year following pregnancy.
Findings from Public Health Wales’s latest Time to Talk Public Health survey show that more than three-quarters of people in Wales believe it is very important for women to receive health and well-being support in the first year after pregnancy, whether following birth, miscarriage or other pregnancy outcomes.
The results are particularly relevant in North Wales, where families are often supported by a network of community-based services delivered through Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board, including health visitors, midwives, GPs and community nurses.
Respondents identified health visitors as having a key role, with 80 per cent saying they should play a major part in supporting women after pregnancy. Midwives, practice nurses and GPs were also widely seen as important sources of support.
More than half of those surveyed said the best time for healthcare professionals to discuss health and well-being with women would be during a dedicated NHS appointment focused specifically on the woman, rather than during child-focused appointments such as vaccinations. This mirrors ongoing discussions in North Wales about ensuring postnatal care gives sufficient attention to mothers’ physical and mental health, as well as the needs of their babies.
Mental health and emotional well-being emerged as the top priority, with almost eight in ten people saying it should be a very important part of post-pregnancy support. Physical health was also ranked highly, alongside healthy behaviours and social well-being – issues that can be particularly significant for women living in more rural or isolated communities across the region.
Bethan Jenkins, Principal Public Health Practitioner at Public Health Wales, said the findings underline the importance of personalised support. She said the results show strong public backing for creating space for meaningful conversations that reflect what matters most to women, rather than relying on a one-size-fits-all approach.
The Time to Talk Public Health panel allows people from across Wales, including North Wales, to share their views on key public health issues and help shape future policy and services. The survey was carried out between October and November last year and included more than 1,400 adults, with responses weighted to reflect the Welsh population.
Public Health Wales says the findings will help inform future planning of post-pregnancy services, with the aim of improving outcomes for women and families across Wales.
