“Dehumanised,” is how 58 percent of respondents said they felt after giving birth, according to Australia’s largest study into women’s birthing experiences, conducted throughout 2021 and including responses from over 8500 women.

The online study concluded that many women blamed themselves for not being more informed about their birth choices and contained a multitude of distressing stories and comments from women who had suffered obstetric trauma and obstetric violence (when medical personnel conduct a procedure without obtaining patient consent).

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“Women with continuity of midwifery care, I mean the same midwife or a small team of midwives, usually have a better birthing outcome,” said Tracey Gietz, a midwife from the Nambucca Valley.

“We already know this,” she added.

Tracey is pregnant with her second baby, and she knows improving maternity care for Australian women is a cause worth sacrificing for, so she has decided to shave her head on 30 November at the Nambucca Markets to raise money for other mums-to-be.

“If I can draw attention to and in some way improve how women are treated throughout their birthing experience it will be worth it,” she said.

Tracey believes her cause is exactly in line with the aims of the Maternity Consumer Network, a national organisation committed to changing public policy and recognising the rights of women throughout the birthing process.

She has set up a GoFundMe page and set herself the ambitious goal of raising $10,000 for this organisation.

Currently she has raised over $3000.

You can support Tracey on her quest to improve outcomes for mothers, babies and families at www.gofundme.com/f/midwifes-push-for-improved-maternity-care.

By Ned COWIE