Birth Trauma Awareness Week 2025: the hidden injuries of childbirth

An annual reminder of the hidden dangers of childbirth

Birth Trauma Awareness Week is held each year to help people understand that birth can cause physical and/or emotional trauma and to highlight the need for better care, support and understanding. This year, from July 14 to 18, is Birth Trauma Awareness Week. The theme is ‘This is Birth’, encouraging parents and health professionals to share their diverse stories of their experience with birthing, while emphasising that every birth is different; there is no ‘right’ way to feel and no ‘right’ way to birth.

Birth trauma refers to physical and/or psychological injuries sustained during childbirth. It is a deeply personal and subjective experience and can be defined only by the person who has lived through it.

Physical trauma may include:

• Perineal tears
• Bladder or pelvic floor muscle damage
• Pelvic organ prolapse
• Infected stitches
• Incontinence
• Pudendal neuralgia (damage or irritation to the pudendal nerve, resulting in pelvic pain)
• Postpartum haemorrhage

Psychological trauma can manifest as:

• Postpartum PTSD
• Postnatal depression
• Anxiety

While childbirth inherently carries risks, in many cases, birth trauma is avoidable or able to be lessened with better preparation, informed consent, and continuity of care.

Landmark NSW report reveals widespread birth trauma, calls for urgent reform in maternity care

In May 2024, the NSW Legislative Council’s Select Committee on Birth Trauma released a landmark report, the first of its kind in Australia. The report sheds light on the prevalence, causes, and consequences of birth trauma and makes 43 recommendations to improve maternity care.

Key findings of the report included:

• 28% of women reported experiencing birth trauma.
• 1 in 10 experienced some form of obstetric violence, including coercion, lack of informed consent, or being denied pain relief.

Contributing factors include:

• Lack of continuity of care
• Inadequate antenatal education
• A culture of compliance with medical intervention
• Rising rates of caesarean sections, inductions, and instrumental births

The report also highlighted the emotional, psychological, and economic toll of birth trauma and the urgent need for trauma-informed care, better communication, and accountability within the healthcare system.

One client’s birth trauma story highlights the impact of ignored concerns during childbirth and the importance of informed consent. With legal support, she is seeking justice and raising awareness about respectful maternity care. Read Kulbinder’s full story.

What to do if you experience birth trauma

If you or someone you know has experienced birth trauma, know that you are not alone, and support is available.

• Talk about it: share your story with trusted friends, family, or your partner. You or your support person can also call the PANDA (Perinatal Anxiety & Depression Australia) National Helpline on 1300 726 306 to speak with a highly trained and caring counsellor about anything related to pregnancy and early parenthood. The PANDA Helpline can help you determine the type of care you need and where to find it.
• Seek professional support: your GP, midwife, obstetrician, or child health nurse can help and refer you to specialists if needed.
• Request a debrief: if you feel comfortable, ask your hospital or care provider for a birth debrief.
• Make a complaint: you can lodge a formal complaint with the Health Care Complaints Commission.

And finally, explore your legal options. You may be entitled to compensation for medical negligence that resulted in birth trauma.

Need legal advice about medical negligence?

At Maurice Blackburn, our medical negligence lawyers have extensive experience helping Australians navigate these complex claims. 

We’ll listen to your story, explain your rights, and guide you through every step of the legal process. We work on a No Win, No Fee basis, so you don’t pay our fees unless we win your case.

Contact us for a free initial consultation

We offer free initial consultations to assess your situation and give guidance on your next steps, with no obligation to proceed with us if you don’t want to. Contact us for a free initial consultation now.