The impact of motherhood on the course of women's psychological wellbeing

•Psychological wellbeing is high among women in the reproductive age group.•Motherhood status has a different effect on women's psychological wellbeing.•Childless women's psychological health remains stable during the reproductive age.•Mothers’ psychological wellbeing peaks from pre-pregnancy to the post-birth period.•Over time, mother's psychological health level drops below that of childless women.