The traditional role of the mother has changed greatly

Christine Eames, worldwide president of the Mothers' Union, said: "Current lifestyles mean that pregnant women carry on working until their baby is due.

"They may not know people in the area, don't know neighbours and suddenly they find themselves isolated, lonely and at home all day answering the needs of their new baby.

"Often immediate family are some distance away and are not able to provide the on-hand support which a new mother needs, especially if the father is not present.

"These factors increase a mother's vulnerability and her susceptibility to post natal illness."

Mary Alabaster, of the Wickford Health Centre in Essex, sees post natal depression as an increasing part of modern motherhood.

"Some people, because of their career structure, may have to move to different countries, or a different part of the country. They leave family and friends behind and having a baby in a new area can be very isolating for these new mothers."

The Mothers' Union is calling on its 120,000 UK members to contact local health authorities, GPs and health visitors in order to help set up more support groups for parents of children under one-year-old.