ABTA
Supporting people traumatised
by childbirth
by childbirth
- Welcome to the Australasian Birth Trauma Association
Birth Trauma
We define Birth Trauma as:
Physically damaging birth processes which then result in life-changing psychological and social difficulties
Psychological problems arising from the circumstances of the delivery (e.g. “wrong” location; pre-term; support people not present) or the process (e.g. labour too quick, prolonged, inadequate pain relief; feeling of loss of control; emergency caesarean section; concerns about survival of baby or self)
An ‘uneventful’ or satisfactory delivery from the professional point of view (mother and baby well; no physical complications), but traumatising for the woman as she feels unsupported or even misunderstood by the health professionals.
ABTA
We have been established to offer
Emotional and practical support to women and their partners who have been traumatised by a difficult birth experience. The labour and delivery, which may have been vaginal or by caesarean section, has resulted in physical and/or psychological damage.
Guidance for the broad array of health professionals involved in the care of these women and their families.
Peer2Peer Support Program
What is the Peer2Peer Support Program?
The Peer2Peer Support Program is an initiative that provides an online live chat service for women and their families impacted by a difficult birth. This is the first service in Australia dealing specifically with birth trauma. We hear time after time from families how important it is for them to simply be heard, treated with respect and to realise they are not alone. This is where a peer support program can have immense positive impact.
When is the service available?
The service is currently available at the following times*:
Monday – Friday 8pm – 10pm
*Please note that these times are based on NSW time (ie. AEST in winter and AEDT in summer).
Before participating in the program it is important that you read our Privacy Policy and Terms and Conditions. As part of using this service you accept these terms and conditions.
How do I access the service?
If you are contacting us during our service hours, simply select the Live Chat P2P Logo pop up in the bottom right hand corner of the website browser and register your first name and email address.
What can I expect from a session with a P2P Mentor?
Our aim is to offer one-2-one support with empathy, and a non-judgmental attitude.
Our program is made possible by our volunteers (P2P Mentors), who have themselves experienced psychological and/or physical injuries from a difficult birth and are in a place where they can now provide support to others who are walking the journey to acceptance.
Heathcare Professionals
One of our primary goals is to create partnerships with health professionals aiming to reduce the incidence of birth trauma and increase recognition, early identification and effective management.
Experiences
Our blog is a place for sharing. Be it stories, journeys or education you can find everything there. We are constantly adding new content including video interviews, podcasts or our attendance at a recent event. Keep Reading.
Donate Now
The ABTA is run entirely by volunteers and relies on donations to continue with its work.Please use the link below to find out about the various ways in which you can donate and/or raise funds for us.
This group is aimed at supporting women who have suffered difficult births and we aim to offer advice and support to those who are affected by their childbirth experience. We aren’t trained clinicians or counsellors, we are mothers who wish to help others and our members include women experiencing PTSD, birth trauma and pelvic organ prolapse, industry representatives, and healthcare professionals.