New mothers are three times more likely to have secured a new mortgage than the average, according to a survey from marketing company GfK and the new mother information service Emma’s Diary.

Women who have had a child in the past twelve months were also five times more likely to take out income protection, the study found. Emma’s Diary head of data and partnerships Nick Watts said its data showed new parents were most likely to make big financial purchases four to five months after having a child.

The perception that mortgage lenders are unwilling to lend to pregnant women was widespread if not backed up by evidence, lender bodies acknowledged earlier this year.

Both the Council of Mortgage Lenders and the Building Societies Association plan to publish guidelines on the issue.

However, Watts said while credit and income assessments meant it could be more difficult for new mothers to get a mortgage, the research reflected couples simply reacted to changing circumstances.

“You may be living in a one-bedroom apartment in town but when you have a baby you need more space. It is necessity which drives this.”

Parents were likely to adapt a steadier lifestyle to cope with the responsibilities of a child and could make better regular clients for brokers as a result, he said.

New mothers were also three times more likely to have taken out life assurance than the general population and twice as likely to have opened a credit card, the research found.