In 2006/07, according to the Maternity Experiences Survey (MES**), almost 13% of women with new babies reported that their lives were very stressful in the 12 months prior to giving birth.

The highest proportions of women with high stress levels were in Manitoba (16%), Nova Scotia and Ontario (both 14%).

**The MES population consisted of birth mothers 15 years of age and older who had a singleton live birth in Canada during a three-month period preceding the 2006 Canadian Census of Population and who lived with their infant at the time of data collection. Using the 2006 Canadian Census, a stratified random sample of 8,244 women estimated to be eligible was identified. Of these women, 6,421 (78%) completed a 45-minute interview at five to 14 months after the birth of their baby, conducted primarily by telephone.