Birth trauma awareness week 2023

July 17-23

Birth Trauma Awareness Week (BTAW) is held in July each year. The theme for 2023 is Postnatal Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).

Whilst improved conversations about perinatal mental health have helped to reduce stigma, women, birthing people, fathers and partners, and even health professionals are still falling through the gaps in health care.

Our priorities during Birth Trauma Awareness Week:

Educate
1 in 3 Australian women consider their birth experience to be traumatic*, yet the devastating impacts of this type of trauma suffer from a lack of awareness and progress, meaning that families continue to suffer in silence. We continue to spread evidence-based information so that we can better prevent, diagnose and treat birth-related trauma.

* Birthing people, fathers, partners and health professionals can experience birth-related trauma.
Amplify

We aim to elevate the voices of women, non-birthing parents and health professionals impacted by this silent epidemic by sharing their stories and their real-life experiences and getting these stories in front of as many people as possible.

We want people to know that they do not need to suffer in silence.

Advocate

On behalf of everyone who has been impacted by birth-related trauma, we advocate improving prevention and access to treatment, including greater access to affordable treatment options and, ultimately, better outcomes for all those affected.

We can't change the future for birthing families without your support.

As a volunteer-led organisation, we rely on donations so we can continue working towards our vision for physically and psychologically safer births and better postnatal care.

Fundraise for ABTA

ABTA is a national not-for-profit that relies on the generosity of the community and its wonderful supporters. There are lots of ways to get involved and support our work.

Participate in Big Step Challenge

We’re encouraging our supporters to participate in our Big Step Challenge. More details will be available soon.

Keep Informed

Our newsletter is a great way to stay informed about our work and learn about opportunities to get involved and make a difference.

Show support on social media

Spread the word on social media by sharing these images.
Don’t forget to tag @birthtrauma.org.au and use #BTAW2023 in your social posts.