SMarshall93

I'm fundraising for a great cause!

This July, I'm taking on the BIG STEP challenge and raising awareness for the Australasian Birth Trauma Association (ABTA). From Sunday 16^th July to Sunday 23^rd July, I will be cycling 110,000 meters. Why 110,000 meters? This is the estimated number of women who experience birth-related trauma in Australia every year. Chances are that you know someone who has experienced this first hand.

In 2018 I was induced with Teddy at 41+5days. During labour Teddy was in distress, and my health care team intervened with an episiotomy and forceps delivery. In the eyes of my hospital my birth was not considered anything other than normal. My recovery was long and painful, and unfortunately the topic of birth trauma seemed taboo. This constant feeling of being alone and feeling like my body had failed followed me my whole postpartum journey.

In 2021 we planned a C-Section for Xavier’s Birth at 38+3 weeks based purely on my previous birth experience. This time I advocated for myself, and my health care team knew exactly what I needed and wanted. However, our cheeky baby had other plans and exactly 38 weeks Xavier decided to make his big entrance into this world while I was home alone. During this experience I was not scared or anxious (i was shocked and worried about cleaning up the mess before my toddler & husband got home so I didn’t traumatise them…crazy right!). My recovery  was long and painful. I spent a lot of time crying in the shower wondering if I would ever be the same, heal the same. Hell even be able to run again! (Pre-birth I would run 5-7km 5 times per week). I had 2 surgeries post birth and my experience this time was different. I received on going care from my health care team & hospital for over 12 months. This birth made me feel strong, capable and this time I was heard. 

My story in 2018 is not uncommon. Too often new parents are not heard or supported. Having a baby is a HUGE adjustment and the society expectation to be this perfect parent, to have a seamless birth and to ‘bounce back’ is causing more harm than good.

Postpartum PTSD remains largely unknown and mis/underdiagnosed despite it occurring in up to 15% of parents in the first six months post-birth. This means that women, birthing people, fathers, and non-birthing parents are still falling through the gaps in healthcare and may not be receiving the best treatment for their needs. Not to mention the women who receive physical trauma from their births that go unnoticed, untreated and unspoken about.

I ask that you donate as little or as much as possible. Whilst conversations about perinatal mental health do help reduce the stigmas surrounding this topic there still are significant gaps in healthcare. Your donation will help EDUCATE, AMPLIFY and ADVOCATE to improve prevention and help families in need access affordable treatment options.