Pakistani actor Rubina Ashraf has called for greater compassion and support from families towards women experiencing mental health challenges during pregnancy and after childbirth.
Speaking on Thursday’s episode of Good Morning Pakistan, Ashraf said pregnancy-related emotional changes and postpartum depression were real issues that needed greater understanding from family members.
During the programme, guest Airaas, who married at 17 and later had three children with little gap between pregnancies, discussed the difficulties young women can face when adjusting to a new household. She said criticism could feel particularly harsh during pregnancy, when women may be more emotionally vulnerable.
Responding to her comments, Ashraf said society needed to move beyond outdated attitudes towards pregnancy-related mental health.
“In the past, there was no concept of pregnancy blues and postpartum depression,” she said, noting that women were often told that previous generations had gone through childbirth without discussing such difficulties.
Ashraf said pregnancy can bring both happiness and anxiety as women adjust to major changes in their lives. She warned that women who feel they are facing these challenges alone could experience severe depression.
The actor particularly urged husbands, in-laws and other family members to show greater compassion towards pregnant women.
She also pointed out that the challenges do not end with childbirth, saying caring for a baby can be especially difficult for first-time mothers. She stressed that new mothers should not be expected to instinctively know how to handle every aspect of childcare.
Host Nida Yasir agreed that raising a child can be challenging even for experienced mothers. She also suggested that young women pursue education and careers before marriage to help them develop greater confidence and resilience.
Ashraf is among several Pakistani celebrities who have spoken publicly about the mental health challenges associated with pregnancy and childbirth. Naimal Khawar, Sarwat Gilani and Zara Noor Abbas have also discussed their experiences with postpartum depression and encouraged greater awareness and support for new mothers.
