Women report feeling rushed, dismissed, and “just another number” — we know why and we know how to prevent it – it is time for urgent systemic reform Birth trauma has long-term impacts on mental health, family wellbeing, and future engagement with maternity services. Some women avoid or terminate future pregnancies or disengage from the system entirely due to disrespectful care. In addition to universal access to continuity of midwifery carer, The Birth Map is a woman-led, structured...

24 March 2026 National maternity advocacy organisation, Maternity Choices Australia (MCA), welcomes the appointment of Donna Garland as the first Chief Midwife of New South Wales (NSW). MCA’s Managing Director, Dr Catherine Bell, said this role is a vital step as we move forward from the Birth Trauma Inquiry into a maternity system that actively addresses the identified issues and implements recommendations. ‘We look forward to working with Ms Garland to prevent antenatal and postnatal...

(As featured in our newsletter of 26 November 2025) A year long investigation by the Guardian into a US based enterprise that advocates for the avoidance of any medical care in birth, Free Birth Society, has had the online birth world buzzing this past few days. Unfortunately this article plays perfectly into the hands of the forces around the world that are restricting women's rights in birth, such those that want to see the South Australian legislation to "eliminate freebirth deaths"...