Oklahoma again received low marks for how it supports mothers struggling with mental health before and after childbirth, according to a new national report card that found gaps in screenings, treatment options and parental support.
The 2026 Maternal Mental Health State Report Card gave Oklahoma a D, the second year in a row the state has received that grade.
The report card analyzed 27 measures, including screening, treatment, policy and parental support during and after pregnancy.
Nationally, the report card gave the country a C overall.
No states earned an A.
Ten states earned Bs, while 26 states earned Cs.
The report found Oklahoma struggled in several areas, including screening for prenatal and postpartum depression.
Dr. Kalee Woody, a perinatal psychiatrist, warned that postpartum mental health conditions can escalate quickly. “Things can go very wrong and it can go very wrong very fast postpartum,” Woody said.
Woody said one in five women experience new or worsening mental health conditions during pregnancy or after birth, and she said many cases are connected to America’s growing addiction crisis.
New data cited in a national survey showed nearly 50 million Americans had a substance use disorder in 2024, and one-third of adults experienced a mental illness, a substance use disorder, or both.
Pregnant and postpartum women are especially vulnerable.
Woody said fear can keep some women from seeking help. “They’re not seeking help because especially in the state of Oklahoma they can get their children taken away,” she said.
The report also highlighted a lack of childcare, paid leave and access to mental health care.
In a new parental support category, the U.S. earned an F.
Thirty-one states, including Oklahoma, earned less than one star out of five.
Woody said most of her patients report having only two weeks of unpaid maternity leave.
She also said sleep can be critical in reducing postpartum depression, recommending at least four hours of uninterrupted sleep. “The biggest thing I want to leave people with is just know that Oklahoma’s working really hard to get that grade up,” Woody said.