The ANMF has called on governments to urgently adopt and implement all 43 recommendations from the NSW Select Committee on Birth Trauma report, released earlier this year in response to growing awareness of birth trauma and its impact on parents and families across the state.
The report made five findings and outlined 43 recommendations aimed at addressing preventable birth trauma.
Recommendations take a system wide approach to addressing the shortcomings of the Australian maternity care system, including improved access to midwifery-led care, midwifery continuity of care models, and trauma informed care.
Increased maternity care resources such as midwife ratios that support women and person-centred care, ensuring competitive pay and working conditions to attract and retain midwives, and providing publicly funded homebirth services, were also recommended.
Many of the recommendations have been previously advocated for by consumers and stakeholders and the ANMF has consistently lobbied on behalf of midwives, at both state and national levels, for changes to Australia’s maternity care system to improve outcomes for women, people giving birth, and families.
According the ANMF, the report highlights the serious consequences of inaction by governments, which persists despite growing research and evidence regarding the failures of the maternity care system.
The ANMF says birth trauma is not limited to NSW, with research showing it is prevalent across Australian maternity care systems. Therefore, the report’s recommendations should be considered by the Commonwealth and all other jurisdictions as well. Action must not be delayed by jurisdictional specific inquiries or research to further demonstrate the breadth and impact of birth trauma for people living in Australia.
The ANMF is calling on the Commonwealth and all jurisdictional governments to urgently adopt and implement the report’s 43 recommendations.
“Acting on the recommendations to support maternity healthcare providers, including midwives, is critical for ensuring high-quality maternity care,” the ANMF said in a statement.
“The ANMF will continue to advocate for the support of midwives, recognising the emotional and mental load of walking with women and people giving birth in an increasingly complex maternity care system.”
The ANMF said it remains committed to the report’s recommendations, prioritising women’s healthcare, gender equity, and improving care experiences through its advocacy for midwives and nurses.
