Birth Trauma.

What is Birth Trauma?

Birth trauma refers to the emotional or psychological injury experienced during or after childbirth.

Birth trauma is unfortunately a common experience for mothers in Australia with current statistics showing that 1 in 3 women experience their birth as traumatic.

Factors such as medical intervention, complications, emotional distress, loss of autonomy and power, pain or physical distress or medical emergency with baby, may contribute to or cause the experience of birth trauma for the birthing woman and/or her partner.

Seeking support from trusted family and friends, and particularly professional with expertise in birth trauma, can help reduce the risk of long-term distress. Birth trauma, especially when left unaddressed, may present as postnatal depression/anxiety or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

Resources

Services

  • PANDA

    PANDA – Perinatal Anxiety & Depression Australia – supports the mental health of parents and families during pregnancy and in their first year of parenthood.

    Mon-Sat: 1300 726 306

    PANDA

  • ABTA

    PEER2PEER SUPPORT PROGRAMS

    Peer2Peer support services is a safe space to share your birthing experience.

    ABTA

  • Gidget Foundation

    A not-for-profit organisation that exists to support the emotional wellbeing of expectant and new parents to ensure they receive timely, appropriate and specialist care.

    1300 851 758

    Gidget Foundation

  • 13YARN

    Confidential one-on-one yarning opportunity with a Lifeline-trained Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Crisis Supporter who can provide crisis support 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

    13 92 76

    13YARN