Despite many calls for better birth experiences we start 2026 with headlines that Australian practices around birth are failing women. Unfortunately a global problem and not exclusive to Australia. I have reported, written and spoken about birth trauma for over a decade. Women and their infants suffer daily, professionals declare not enough is known, not recognised and no data exists to quantify the percentage of women affected, with a suspected 70% of women being affected. A

The Hidden Error For too long, birth trauma has been dismissed, hidden under labels of “baby blues,” “colic,” or “just hormones.” But this underestimated perception is costing individuals, families health, ripple impacts on family unit, siblings, income. Underlying in teen mental health, self-esteem, anxiety from complex birth trauma, including early suicide. What health professionals fail to acknowledge is that birth experience ripples into childhood, adulthood and society i