ONE-IN-FOUR expectant mothers in the North-East feel unable to tell anyone they are depressed because of their pregnancy, according to a report.

The survey of the region's mothers-to-be was part of a national survey of more than 1,100 women conducted by Tommy's, the baby charity and Johnson's Baby.

It highlighted a problem that many pregnant women felt they couldn't talk through their problems with anyone.

This was particularly true in the North-East where one in four couldn't tell anyone that their pregnancy was making them feel depressed (24.1 per cent) - the highest rate in the UK.

Among other taboo topics that women felt unable to talk to anyone about included the fact that almost half worried about developing post-natal depression (48.3 per cent).

One in four women were worried that their child would be born with an abnormality (27.6 per cent)

A quarter of North-East women were also concerned that their partner might leave them (24.1 per cent).

Another one in four were concerned that they may never want sex again (25 per cent).

Worringly, one in 15 women in the North-East said they smoked cigarettes as a way of relieving stress.

Only one in 30 (3.2 per cent) drank alcohol during pregnancy to cut stress.

Women in Yorkshire and Humberside were generally less stressed about being pregnant, recording much lower levels of concern.

For example, one in three (28.8 per cent) women in Yorkshire and Humberside were worried about developing post-natal depression compared to a much higher proportion further north.

Only one in six (15.4 per cent) of Yorkshire and Humberside women were concerned that their partner might leave them.

Almost half of women questioned in both regions said the biggest cause of stress during pregnancy was the fear of pregnancy complications.

Andrew Shennan, professor of obstetrics for Tommy's, said: "These results are shocking and have potentially serious implications.

"Suppressing concerns during pregnancy can contribute to the development of pre-natal depression, which can be damaging to both mother and baby."

Anyone wishing to speak directly to a midwife about their concerns can contact Tommy's Information Service on 0870-777-30-60 or log on to www.tommys.org