Birth trauma comes out of the shadows

BIRTH Trauma Awareness Week 2024 will run from July 21 to 28, with the theme “Informed Consent”.

The week aims to raise awareness about consent, drive policy change, and prevent trauma.

Events such as the founding of the Australasian Birth Trauma Association and Australia’s inaugural birth trauma conference show that momentum in the sector is growing.

Last week, Australia’s Maternity Consumer Network published the first Perinatal Trauma Prevention Guidelines – a global first.

But the Australian Association of Psychologists (AAPi) is calling for perinatal women to access 40 rebated sessions per year through Medicare.

AAPi executive director Tegan Carrison said the presently available 10 sessions per year were entirely insufficient for women with perinatal anxiety and depression (PND).

“For anyone with serious/complex problems, research shows that 40 sessions are considered the optimal level of treatment.

“Clients are being forced to stretch out their sessions for issues such as anxiety, PTS related to childbirth, adjustment to parenthood, changes in partner relationships, difficulty bonding, and suicidal ideation. These issues require ongoing care.”

Ballina-based psychologist Lucy Frankham said the parliamentary inquiry attracted more than 4,000 submissions, which showed the enormity of the problem.

“Despite this recent attention, many people remain unaware of the profound and lasting impacts that birth trauma can have on women and their families, and this extends to healthcare providers, policymakers, and support networks,” she said.

“Women can access only 10 Medicare sessions per year, equating to less than one per month, which is completely inadequate for a course of treatment following birth trauma.

“Education and awareness underpin change, which is why Birth Trauma Awareness Week is so important.

“From a social and economic perspective, perinatal and infant health is our most important public health issue. Suicide is one of the leading causes of maternal death. The ripple effect extends beyond a single event and profoundly affects mothers, infants, relationships and family dynamics.

“This is why access to 40 sessions is so important because together with NSW Health’s First 2000 Days Framework, it could significantly alter the trajectory of things for the mother, baby and the whole family.”

For information and support, head to birthtrauma.org.au