13/07/2026
**This week is Birth Trauma Awareness Week.**
For many families, welcoming a baby is one of life's happiest moments. For others, it can also be one of the most challenging.
This year's theme, "The Cost of Birth Trauma," reminds us that the impact of birth trauma extends far beyond the birth itself. It can affect mental health, relationships, confidence, parenting, employment and family life for months or even years. The effects are often felt not only by the birthing parent, but also by partners, children and the wider family.
Birth trauma may be physical, psychological or both. Sometimes it stems from unexpected medical complications. Other times, it relates to feeling unheard, unsupported or excluded from decisions during birth. Whatever the experience, it is real, and it deserves to be acknowledged.
At WA Mental Health, we want families to know that you don't have to "just get over it." Healing is possible, and seeking support is a sign of strength, not weakness.
If your birth experience continues to affect your wellbeing, relationships, confidence or enjoyment of parenthood, reaching out for support can be an important first step. There is no time limit on healing.
This week, we stand alongside Birth Trauma Australia in raising awareness, reducing stigma and encouraging open conversations about birth trauma and recovery.
To learn more about Birth Trauma Awareness Week, visit:
https://birthtrauma.org.au/birth-trauma-awareness-week-2026/
💙 If this post resonates with you or someone you care about, know that support is available, and you are not alone.
This report, commissioned by Birth Trauma Australia and prepared by Nous Group, provides the first national analysis of the economic impact of birth injuries and ongoing conditions in Australia. It aims to quantify the scale of the economic burden and strengthen the evidence base for investment in p...