Naomi Bowden, a mother who testified, brought to life the haunting experience of losing her daughter to stillbirth in 2009. She painfully recounted staying in the maternity ward and listening to other babies cry, a constant reminder of her unimaginable loss. "It's a scar that never heals," Bowden said.
Hannah Dahlen, a professor of midwifery at Western Sydney University, deemed the inquiry the MeToo movement of birth. She said that most women blame themselves for unfortunate birth experiences, leading to a culture where issues remain unreported and unresolved.
The term "birth trauma" is formally defined by the inquiry as "inappropriate, disrespectful, or abusive treatment before, during, and after birth. Studies suggest that at least one in three women globally experiences such trauma, often leaving them with both emotional and physical scars.
However, the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (RANZCOG) raised concerns about the term. Dr. Jared Watts, RANZCOG Board Director, warned that the terminology might imply deliberate harm by medical professionals. "No one goes to work to cause trauma," he stated, pushing for a more constructive language framework that could better engage doctors in the dialogue.
Heartbreaking and Disturbing Testimonies
Carly Griffin shared her unsettling experience, where an obstetrician suddenly decided to proceed with a C-section, claiming it was an emergency, and then casually left to go for dinner. Griffin couldn't shake the feeling that she was being rushed to free up the birthing room.
Jessica Holliday's initial joy at her pregnancy was marred by constant fat-shaming from healthcare providers. She was categorized as high-risk due to her weight and was repeatedly discouraged from having a natural birth, despite having no medical complications.
Amanda Macaulay spoke of the utter devastation of losing her son to stillbirth days after she had begged the hospital for help. The incident has left her and her family scarred emotionally and psychologically.
Committee Chair Emma Hurst clarified that the objective of the inquiry is not to assign blame to individuals but to uncover systemic failures. Hurst said, "It's about finding out where the system is failing and working towards changing those systems."
Amy Dawes, founder of the Australasian Birth Trauma Association, reinforced this by stating that the issue is global in scope. Dawes emphasized the need for a global conversation on birth trauma by saying, "We receive contacts from women all over the world."
Read also: Shropshire Maternity Scandal: 300 Babies Died or Had Brain Damage Due to Denied Caesarian Births
Impact on Medical Professionals
Fiona Reid, a veteran clinical midwife, noted that the increasing trend of medical intervention in births has not only harmed mothers but is causing secondary trauma among medical staff as well. She underscored the need for a holistic reevaluation of maternal care standards.
Reid said, "We need to look at the quality of care, not just the rate of interventions. We are not improving maternal and infant outcomes; in fact, we are breaking mothers."
The inquiry is expected to conclude by February 2024, but it has already set off a nationwide debate on the ethics and quality of maternal care in Australia. The public and the medical community are eagerly awaiting the findings, hopeful that they will bring about much-needed systemic changes.
The inquiry serves as a grim reminder and a wake-up call that the medical system, as it stands, is failing many women. For many mothers and healthcare professionals alike, it is a tipping point, signaling that enough is enough-no means no, even in childbirth.
