One-third of Australian women report traumatic experiences while giving birth

Australia’s first inquiry into birth trauma has kicked off in NSW parliament and the Clarks are among those speaking up about the lasting mental and physical impact of birth trauma.

The inquiry, which started last month, was triggered after 30 mothers made complaints about Wagga Wagga Base Hospital, including allegations some were forcibly held down, given inadequate pain relief or told they would be induced to free up beds.

It follows Australia’s largest study of women’s birth experiences, which found in December that one in 10 women felt violated disrespected or abused during birth.

Now the Australasian Birth Trauma Association (ABTA) and maternal health academics are calling for a national investigation to address what experienced midwifery educator-researcher Professor Hannah Dahlen describes as “a national shame”.

Dahlen’s research supports previous findings that about 30 per cent of Australian mothers say they had a traumatic birth experience. PTSD is much more common in women who have had a traumatic birth.

ABTA chief executive Amy Dawes said a survey of 1002 women, commissioned by her organisation in 2023, found one-third of respondents said they had a traumatic birth in the past five years, and 12 per cent reported it was “extremely traumatic”.

“The research uncovered a staggering 79 per cent of birthing parents reported experiencing at least one symptom of postpartum post-traumatic stress disorder after giving birth,” Dawes said.

In June, University of Sydney research described birth-related PTSD as “strangely overlooked” and found the majority of women who displayed symptoms remained undiagnosed.

Source: 12ft | One-third of Australian women report traumatic experiences while giving birth