To be treated with dignity, cultural sensitivity and respect at all times; to choose your place of birth; to choose your caregiver/s and to change your caregiver/s at any time; to choose who will be present at your birth and to ask others to leave.
Compassionate, respectful care comes from many kinds of providers - midwives, LMCs, obstetricians, family physicians and nurses and in settings including hospitals, birth centres and your home. But, according to a recent international survey, up to one-third of women experience some trauma during birth, which means that at some point during their labour, they felt their emotional wellbeing or even their life or their babies’ lives were under threat.
And according to another report, one in four women who underwent either an induction or a C-section reported experiencing pressure from a health professional to do so. While some birth trauma is created by poor care, some trauma “just happens”, even with five-star care.
Why advocacy matters
Birth may be the most natural process in the world, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t difficult choices to make. Questions about where you want to give birth are likely to be settled before the baby comes.
Other decisions made need to be made during your labour.
Knowing how to advocate for yourself (and having your support team advocate for you) equips you all with the tools you need to protect your right to change your birth plan if and when you need to. At the same time, advocacy ensures you are not pressured to submit to procedures you don’t want - procedures that you feel might not be best for you or your baby.
Informed consent
Informed consent means you will be informed of whatever is happening to both you and your baby and be given the opportunity to understand it. The people who have medical knowledge and clinical experience should always give you all the information you need so you can make an informed decision about your care. This goes for all the aspects surrounding pregnancy and birth, from whether or not to undergo certain testing, accept an induction, or consent to interventions during labour. Informed consent is not, ‘Hey, we want to do this, is it okay?’ It’s more, ‘We recommend this and here is why - what is your decision?’ It’s your right, and it’s okay to ask questions. Birth trauma is often considered to be a physical injury, but it can also be psychological. It could be not being listened to, respected, or communicated with, and most women will say it’s both.
A lot of the women I spoke with perceived this was often an issue with understaffing or burnout, and didn’t blame hospital staff or their LMC’s.
Some mentioned that if their LMC or healthcare provider had just spent a little more time checking they were okay, or asking if they had questions, it would have made all the difference to starting a conversation.
Trauma is subjective. Some women will have life-threatening births and go on to be fine, while others may have what looks like a straightforward birth and experience distress.
Own your health and listen to your body
- You know your body better than anyone else, so listen to it.
- If something does not feel right, speak up.
- If you are concerned, it’s okay to seek a second opinion.
- If you receive inadequate care, make a formal complaint.
- Pay close attention to your body, your baby, and how you feel at all times, especially during the postpartum period. And, ask for help and during this time - it’s especially important to advocate for yourself by calling your healthcare provider immediately if something doesn’t feel right.
Feel free to break up at anytime
- Breakups are never fun, but making sure you’re getting the experience and care you want and deserve is far more important.
- If your medical team is not making you feel heard, if you don’t trust their abilities, or if the chemistry is not there, it is more than okay to find someone else.
- Remember: you should never have to settle when it comes to medical care.
Birth Trauma Aotearoa is calling for women to receive at least three physical and three psychological support sessions after giving birth, with the option for more if needed.
■ Bellies to Babies Antenatal & Postnatal Classes, baby massage courses and baby and infant first aid courses, 2087 Pakowhai Rd, Hawke’s Bay, 022 637 0624. https://www.hbantenatal-classes.co.nz/.
Medical disclaimer: This page is for educational and informational purposes only and may not be construed as medical advice. The information is not intended to replace medical advice offered by physicians.
WHERE TO GET HELP
If you are worried about your or someone else’s mental health, the best place to get help is your GP or local mental health provider. However, if you or someone else is in danger or endangering others, call police immediately on 111.
Or if you need to talk to someone else:
Lifeline: 0800 543 354 or 09 5222 999 within Auckland (available 24/7).
Suicide Crisis Helpline: 0508 828 865 (0508 TAUTOKO) (available 24/7).
Youthline: 0800 376 633, free text 234 or email talk@youthline.co.nz or online chat.
Need to Talk? Free call or text 1737 (available 24/7).
Kidsline: 0800 543 754 (available 24/7).
Whatsup: 0800 942 8787 (1pm to 11pm).
Depression Helpline: 0800 111 757.
Samaritans: 0800 726 666.
