Being overweight during pregnancy also reduces mental health

Belly of a pregnant woman holding a plate of sweets.

Overweight is an underestimated risk factor during pregnancy.

A bachelor's thesis from the midwifery degree programme at Burgenland University of Applied Sciences deals with the connection between obesity and depression during pregnancy and after birth. The clear mandate to the system: mental health must become a fixed component of antenatal and postnatal care.

Pinkafeld, 10 March 2026 Postpartum depression is one of the most common mental illnesses in the postpartum period and affects around 10-20% of all mothers. According to current research findings, obesity is a previously underestimated risk factor. And: the number of obese pregnant women is increasing. According to the WHO, more than a third of women of childbearing age are overweight and one in seven is obese. This also has an impact on obstetrics. Verena Schwarz, a graduate of the first year of the Bachelor of Midwifery programme at the Burgenland University of Applied Sciences, dedicated her final thesis to this topic.

Special responsibility for midwives

After graduating, Verena Schwarz workes as a midwife at Oberwart Hospital. For her thesis, she researched current scientific studies and conducted interviews with experts.

Graduate and midwife Verena Schwarz

Midwives need to keep an eye on both physical well-being and mental stability in order to provide women with comprehensive care. This interaction is important for the best possible care.

Verena Schwarz, graduate of the Bachelor's degree programme in Midwifery at Burgenland University of Applied Sciences

The most important statements summarised here

  • Obesity during pregnancy is not just a physical diagnosis, but part of a complex interplay of biological, psychological and social factors.
  • The evidence shows an increased risk of postpartum depression in obese women due to inflammatory processes, lack of exercise as well as stigmatisation, shame, negative body image and reduced social participation.
  • In practice, it is not so much the kilos themselves as negative experiences in the healthcare system, social pressure and a lack of support that act as triggers and amplifiers.
  • Structural deficits such as a lack of screening, time and networking often place the burden of early detection solely on midwives.
  • What is needed is non-judgemental, resource-orientated care, interdisciplinary cooperation and the firm anchoring of mental health in antenatal and postnatal care.
Programme Director Beate Kayer

Dealing with this topic clearly shows that mental health in pregnancy and postnatal care is not an add-on, but a core task. In the Bachelor's degree programme in Midwifery at Burgenland University of Applied Sciences, we are continuously working on covering all relevant skills in the training - from screening and interviewing to non-judgemental, resource-oriented support and interdisciplinary collaboration - so that our graduates can provide women with holistic and evidence-based care.

Beate Kayer, Head of degree programme

Information about the degree programme

The Bachelor's degree programme in Midwifery is aimed at anyone who has a deep passion for supporting women and families during pregnancy, birth, the postpartum period, breastfeeding and up to the child's first birthday. This degree programme is ideal for those who wish to work in a healthcare profession with a high degree of autonomy.

The six-semester full-time programme leads to the academic degree Bachelor of Science in Health Studies (BSc) and prepares students for all facets of the midwifery profession. The combination of research-led teaching and a high practical component guarantees that graduates are optimally trained for the diverse fields of activity of a midwife.

Study places: 15; Study location: University of Applied Sciences Burgenland Study Centre in Pinkafeld; Language: German (required language level at least B2), individual courses can also be held in English (required language level at least B2); Tuition fees: none

More information and the opportunity to enrol at www.hochschule-burgenland.at

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