Birth Trauma - Time For Change!

***Trigger Warning: Please be aware the content of this episode may be distressing and explores the physical and emotional factors contributing to birth trauma. Please take the necessary precautions and seek support as appropriate. 

"On 9 January 2024, the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on birth trauma in the UK Parliament will set up an inquiry to investigate the reasons for traumatic birth and to develop policy recommendations to reduce the rate of birth trauma. Research shows that about 4-5% of women develop post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) after giving birth – equivalent to approximately 25,000-30,000 women every year in the UK. Studies have also found that a much larger number of women – as many as one in three – find some aspects of their birth experience traumatic. Birth Trauma affects 30,000 women across the country every year. 53% of women who experienced birth trauma are less likely to have children in the future and 84% of women who experienced tears during birth, did not receive enough information about birth injuries ahead of time.  " Source: https://www.theo-clarke.org.uk/birth-trauma 

Todays episode shares insight into the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) inquiry into birth trauma and sarahjanes own experiences of supporting women who have experienced traumatic births. 

Her experience and the literature, suggests that births do not have to be physically traumatic to contribute to a traumatic birth. Emotional factors have a huge role to play and can often cause huge implications to the mother, patner and life beyond. 

Sarahjane encourages UK victims of birth trauma (or expert witnesses) to submit their accounts by 20th February 2024 to inquiry@birthtraumaassociation.org.uk using the guidelines at.  using the guidelines at https://www.theo-clarke.org.uk/birth-trauma

Please also see Episode 30 to help you utilise the BRAIN acronym in your birth. 

Please find below details for support or reach out to me directly for signposting sarahjane@fitfannyadams.com 

Birth Trauma Association peer support: support@birthtraumaassociation.org.uk

MASIC: info@masic.org.uk or 0808 1640 8333 

MASIC supports people who have experienced injuries as a result of birth. 

For help and support please visit their website: Where to seek help - MASIC