via Zoom from Monday 23rd August - Saturday 28th August.
2 STREAMS 6 days 24 speakerS
2 STREAMS
6 days
24 speakers
The Australasian Birth Trauma Association is the first Australian and New Zealand charity solely dedicated to providing support to families who have been affected by birth-related trauma.
We have undertaken numerous surveys and have provided dedicated peer support for birth-related trauma for the last 5 years which has given us valuable information to help inform our work and puts us in a unique position to represent and support our community.
Each evening will feature two inspirational speakers, one session for professionals and one session for our community, birthing families and people who identify as having birth-related trauma.
* Birthing families are also welcome to join the professionals sessions, however we ask that you take good care of yourself as you might find some of the content difficult to listen to.
Previous Event Feedback
A/ProfAlka Kothari
Obstetrician
Associate Professor Alka Kothari is a Senior Staff Specialist in Obstetrics and Gynaecology at Redcliffe Hospital and a Conjoint Site Coordinator for the Faculty of Medicine, University of Queensland. She is an Examiner for the Royal Australasian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists and the University of Queensland. She is also a member of the Prince Charles Human Research and Ethics Committee.
She has significant research experience in the conduct of multiple systematic reviews and randomised controlled trials. She has published multiple papers in the field of perinatal mental health, Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynaecology, and medical education. She regularly leads multi-disciplinary research collaborations and supervises research projects for RANZCOG and RANZCP trainee registrars and medical students.
She is regularly invited to speak at national and international conferences including the Australian and New Zealand Colleges of Anaesthetists, Psychiatrists and the Society of Obstetric Medicine Specialists.
Fiona Reid
Midwife
Fiona is a practising Midwife with over 34 years experience. She has worked in all areas of midwifery practice in New Guinea, India and Australia; in remote, rural, regional and urban settings. In low risk, all risk, high risk and continuity programmes. She is committed to Public Health and believes that care will be appropriate and best when individualised, provided by the right carer in the right setting and at the right time by people who place the woman at the centre of all care.
Dr Andrea Walker
Obstetrician
Fellow of the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RANZCOG), member of its Wellbeing Working Group
Currently working as a Visiting Medical Officer obstetrician at Western Health, in the western suburbs of Melbourne
Previous experience as the lead obstetrician working with a multidisciplinary team including midwives, psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers, and other health professionals, caring for pregnant women with mental health disorders, substance use problems, trauma, and other issues, in both Victoria and New South Wales.
Publication: Walker, A. L., Gamble, J., Creedy, D. K., & Ellwood, D. A. (2020). Impact of traumatic birth on Australian obstetricians: A pilot feasibility study. Australian and New Zealand Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, 60(4), 555-560.
Janet Henegan
Counsellor
Janet is the North Shore Coordinator for Mum for Mum and a counsellor in private practice. Mum for mum is a volunteer organization which assists new mothers’ transition to parenting. Mum for Mum volunteers model a secure relationship with their recipient mum which helps the mum to connect with her baby. Janet is a social worker with 35 years of experience working in the area of post adoption and family relationships. Janet has also worked with International Social Service in Vietnam promoting family life for children in residential care. This project and the post adoption work has really influenced Janet’s views on attachment.
Dr Rosanna Pajak
Perinatal Psychologist
Rosanna is a Clinical Psychologist who specialises in perinatal mental health and works in private practice in Sydney’s inner west. She is a member of the Australian Clinical Psychology Association (ACPA) and the Australian Association for Infant Mental Health (AAIMH). Rosanna has worked across numerous clinical and community settings in both the UK and Australia, including specialist trauma services and women’s health services. Previously, she has coordinated UNSW’s Refugee Trauma and Recovery Program and published numerous papers on trauma, PTSD, memory and emotion-regulation. As an experienced trauma-informed clinician – and a mother of two young boys – Rosanna is passionate about supporting parents through the experience of a traumatic birth.
Dr Jessica Caldwell-Hall
Obstetrician/gynaecologist
Dr Jessica Caudwell-Hall is a consultant obstetrician/gynaecologist currently in her final year of training as a subspecialist urogynaecologist. She works as a Staff Specialist at Nepean Hospital, and has an PhD in imaging and diagnosis of pelvic floor disorders after childbirth. She has published numerous papers on pelvic floor trauma in childbirth, as well as presented internationally on the topic. She is a mother of three, and a passionate promoter of education to support women in making the evidence based birth choices that are right for them.
Lucy Warwick-Guasp
Lucy is a teacher and consultant offering training to practitioners working with families experiencing pre and postnatal illness. The training allows participants to explore specific experiences of LGBTQ+ people and how to ensure that services are inclusive of LGBTQ+ parent families. Lucy is able to combine her extensive experience of delivering LGBTQ+ equalities training gained whilst working at Stonewall (UK); with being a same sex parent; and with her lived experience of postnatal depression and being treated at Bethlem Mother and Baby Unit, South London (UK).
Vanessa Tarfon
Vanessa is a qualified Sex Therapist and Founder of Authentic Awareness. Vanessa is a sleep-deprived mum of two boys under 3, who is passionate about awakening mama’s sensual pleasure and power. Vanessa is well aware of the struggles women often face with their sensuality, particularly after life-changing events such as having children.
During her quest to bring her own sensuality back to life, Vanessa discovered many mamas walking around so deep in “mum life” they didn’t know themselves anymore. She became committed to helping women reawaken their sensual identity and desire, and to create deeper connections with themselves and their partner through knowledge, passion and empowerment. Bearing busy, tired mamas in mind Vanessa developed the Mama’s Sensual Safari – an online course to specifically help mamas reignite their sensuality.
Amy Dawes
Cofounder & CEO
Amy is an effective advocate for bringing consumers, clinicians and researchers together to support women and families affected by birth-related trauma. In 2017, Amy launched the Australasian Birth Trauma Association (ABTA); she has established a not-for-profit organisation focused on the recognition and understanding of birth-related complications.
With a multi-disciplinary advisory group of midwives, physiotherapists, obstetricians, gynaecologists, perinatal psychiatrists and clinical researchers, she is working to develop the resources and strategies to prevent and effectively manage birth-related trauma.
Amy’s understanding of birth-related trauma has come from her own experience, and the many birthing parents, families and health professionals she has listened to and helped to find support. Amy’s vision is to break down the stigma attached to birth trauma, and for all people to have access to safer births, better healing.
How to access
What technology will I need to access content?
You need only two things to attend:
- A desktop computer or laptop
- Steady and reliable internet connection
We’ll provide further details upon registration.
