The NSPCC said that women face a "postcode lottery" of services because less than half of mental health trusts in England have specialist services for expectant and new mothers.
The wellbeing of more than one in 10 newborn babies across the country could be improved if all new mothers with mental illness had equal access to good services, a report by the charity suggests.
Mental health problems such as depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder and schizophrenia can begin or escalate when a woman is pregnant or after her baby is born.
The charity said that many of these illnesses are preventable or treatable but in some areas NHS commissioners are "not giving mums' mental health the priority it deserves".
It is calling on ministers to "fill gaps in services" and to ensure that the mental health of mothers is given the same importance as their physical health.
Peter Wanless, chief executive of the NSPCC, said: "This report clearly shows that with the right services, it is possible to prevent the harm caused by maternal mental illness. But opportunities to help many more families are being missed.
"We have to start treating the mental health of mums and babies with the same importance as their physical health.
"Pregnancy and the first months of a child's life are critical for their future wellbeing and parents naturally play a vital role. If the Government is serious about giving every child the best start in life it must take action to fill the gaps in services."
Read more on The Huffington Post website.
17th July 2013
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