At the end of May, the Select Committee on Birth Trauma released a comprehensive report shedding light on the prevalence of systemic issues and the necessary reforms required in our maternity care system. The issue of birth trauma for parents and families is often overlooked across New South Wales. Every member of this place no doubt knows someone within their network of family or friends who has suffered a difficult or traumatic birth. A study by Western Sydney University found that 28 per cent of women in New South Wales said their last birth was traumatic. It is not just about physical pain; it also includes emotional and mental suffering, which leads to post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, anxiety and financial problems.
The birth of my first child, Nia, was a traumatic birth. Forewarning us of her very stubborn ways, she refused to be born via a natural birth. Drugs to speed up contractions, forceps and, finally, a ventouse—or vacuum cup—all failed to do the trick. Doctors were then forced to undertake an emergency caesarean. Due to its urgent nature, I was not permitted in the operating theatre and sat alone in the corridors of Fairfield Hospital to await the birth of my first child. At some point in the early hours of Anzac Day in 2007, some 24 hours after my wife's water broke, my daughter was rushed out of surgery in an incubator to the neonatal intensive care unit [NICU]. She had a low Apgar score and required urgent care, as did my wife following the caesarean. I was reassured by medical staff that both mother and child were in good care and that I should go home and get some rest. I did so, returning to an empty house, not knowing if I would ever see my wife or daughter alive again. It goes without saying that traumatic births have a much more devastating impact on the mother.
One local mother recently told me of her own similar experience of a traumatic birth. She went into labour two months premature and also gave birth via emergency caesarean. Upon the baby's birth, his lungs started to collapse, and he was taken to the NICU while the mother was taken to recovery on her own. Having a caesarean meant that the mother could not go into the nursery to check on the baby. The midwives were unable to reassure her of her newborn's status, leading the mother to beg for a Facetime call so she could see that her baby was alive and well.
The select committee's report found that the current system has several critical issues. Foremost among them is the lack of continuity of care. Many women have to interact with multiple providers, leading to a lack of trust and increased anxiety. Frequently, women do not receive comprehensive information to make informed decisions, and medical interventions often occur without proper explanation or consent, leading to feelings of disempowerment. Our maternity care system also often overlooks the unique needs of First Nations people, culturally and linguistically diverse communities, refugees and young parents. Poor communication, past traumas and workforce constraints are also major factors.
The report makes several key recommendations to address the issues, including enhancing continuity of care, improving antenatal education, enhancing informed consent practices and addressing workforce issues. Among the reforms, the Government has implemented minimum and enforceable safe staffing levels in emergency departments, intensive care units, high‑dependency units and general wards, with appropriate nurse‑to‑patient ratios. The Government has begun that work by trialling the new arrangements at Liverpool Hospital, which is local to me, and Royal North Shore Hospital. The Government also increased healthcare workers' pay by 4.5 per cent. It has provided healthcare worker study subsidies to support 12,000 healthcare students, ensuring that there is a steady stream of midwives coming through the system. That is a priority for me, and it should be a priority for every member in this place. I echo the words of the health Minister when he marked International Day of the Midwife last month. He said:
I thank every midwife across the NSW Health system for their ongoing commitment to providing safe and high-quality midwifery care to keep mothers and babies healthy across the state.
The Minns Labor Government takes the findings of the report seriously. I look forward to ensuring that all women receive the care, respect and support they deserve during one of the most significant moments of their lives.
