Birth Trauma Australia has proudly launched a new free telehealth service that will give Women+ across Australia better access to specialist pelvic physiotherapy support after birth, wherever they live and whatever their circumstances.

The ThinkNatal™ Pelvic Physio Support Service was rolled out earlier this month, through funding from Women’s Mental Health Australia (WMHA).

OUR WHY

Why we created this

During pregnancy, Women+ receive some of the most supportive medical attention of their lives. Then the baby arrives and the system appears to move on.

The dominant model of maternity care treats postpartum recovery as an afterthought. A single follow-up visit. A discharge at six weeks (if you’re lucky). An assumption that the hard part is over. But for too many Women+, the hard part is only just beginning.

We know that the cost of not addressing birth-related trauma means Women+ and their families bear the burden of trying to find support and paying for it largely on their own. Many are left researching their own symptoms, chasing referrals and navigating a system where no single provider takes responsibility for their recovery.

After a decade of advocacy, Birth Trauma Australia recognises that pelvic physiotherapists are a vital source of support for Women+ who have experienced birth-related trauma, and are often the first clinicians to identify and validate those experiences. Yet access remains out of reach for too many.

The case for change has been building for years.

In 2020, almost 43,000 Australians signed our petition calling for Medicare-subsidised access to pelvic physiotherapy in the perinatal period.

In 2023, the NSW Parliamentary Inquiry into Birth Trauma formally recognised the critical role pelvic physiotherapists play in recovery, yet high out-of-pocket costs remain a barrier for Women+ and families across the country.

Too many Women+ experiencing pelvic floor injuries, prolapse, incontinence or ongoing pain after birth still struggle to get the right support. Cost, distance and lack of awareness all get in the way.

We also know that untreated conditions, misdiagnosis and dismissal by care providers can lead to serious mental health impacts that compound their trauma. Importantly, when mothers don’t recover well, the effects cascade to their babies, their families and their ultimate decision on whether to have more children.

ThinkNatal™ Pelvic Physio Support Service was created to change that.

What the service includes

Each free consultation offers:

  • A confidential virtual appointment with an APA-titled Women’s Health and Continence Physiotherapist
  • Personalised guidance to support physical recovery after birth-related trauma
  • Education on pelvic floor health, postpartum healing and symptom management
  • Evidence-based resources and recommendations
  • Advice on next steps, including referral options or local services if needed

Who this service is for

ThinkNatal™ is for Women+ who have experienced physical birth trauma, are living with post-birth physical symptoms, or are within two years postpartum and unable to access physiotherapy locally.

Register now

Bookings are open. Register here for free online pelvic health support today.