Professor Hannah Dahlen writes:
Birth trauma week starts on the 6th and goes until the 12th September and I will be focusing on this a lot in the coming week.
There is a common myth out there that is also often politically hijacked that birth trauma is just physical trauma and hence the focus ends up on the pelvic floor and manifests as anti-normal birth.
As over a decade of ours and others’ research has shown this is just the tip of the iceberg.
Birth trauma is so often about not being listened to, disrespected and losing control. It often leaves no physical scars and so is dismissed as something women should just get over and be glad they had a healthy baby. I have heard leading health professional and others say no one is ever traumatised by Caesarean section. This reveals the reductionist, narrow thinking on this issue. We must work to reduce all kinds of trauma whatever the woman or her partner says that trauma is.
Our book this year, ‘Birthing outside the system: the canary in the coal mine’, showed clearly that trauma is so often deeply psychological and also can be physical and we must work to reduce both.
The safest birth is one that is supported by a respectful, competent and known midwifery care provider backed by an equally respectful and component obstetric provider. Doulas also play a critical role in reducing birth trauma. I have become a great advocate of these amazing people. This kind of supported birth has been shown to be both physically and psychologically safe.
Do not let the agendas of some people derail the reality thousands of women attest to. Stay tuned as there is about to be announcement of a free, first ever fabulous event next week with a line up of speakers (consumers, obstetricians, lawyers and midwives) like you have never seen before.
Announcement coming soon
Hannah Dahlen is Professor of Midwifery at Western Sydney University
The book "Birthing outside the system: the canary in the coal mine" is reviewed at All4Maternity
