The ABC recently reported that at the latest NSW Birth Trauma Inquiry, a urogynaecologist gave evidence that including: “I think a lot of this stuff is to do with expectations….The way I was trained, healthy baby, healthy mum. That’s all you want out of the day, but it’s not now, it’s about my experience. So if your experience doesn’t match to your expectations, which it very often won’t, you’re disappointed”.
Whilst it is understandable that some women may feel disappointed when their birth experience doesn’t align with their expectations, attributing birth trauma to heightened expectations of the birth “experience” oversimplifies the complex nature of birth trauma and undermines and derides the genuine experiences of women who have suffered.
The 4000 submissions to the NSW Inquiry provide examples of birth trauma, as experienced by women, partners and medical professionals engaged in childbirth.
Examples of submissions to NSW Inquiry into Birth Trauma
In one case from 2015, a woman explicitly requested the exclusion of a specific doctor from surgery during her caesarean section due to prior negative interactions. Despite her clear wishes, the doctor she sought to avoid performed the procedure, causing the woman considerable pain and distress. She was further separated from her newborn against her wishes, compounding her traumatic experience.
Another submission detailed a woman’s experience of feeling pressured into a caesarean section without adequate explanation, only to have her baby taken away without cause immediately after birth, leaving her in distress and uncertainty about her child’s well-being.
In a separate incident, a woman sustained a third-degree tear during vaginal delivery, which was repaired without adequate pain relief or post-repair care instructions. Her subsequent diagnosis of a weakened pelvic floor and bladder prolapse, made by a women’s health physiotherapist, only added to her ordeal.
Medical Negligence cases
At our firm, we have encountered numerous cases where women have endured profound physical and psychological injuries as the result of birth trauma as a consequence of medical negligence.
One case involved a woman who suffered severe birth trauma due to the failure of a doctor to appropriately perform a perineal repair following childbirth. Despite assurances of proper care, the repair was conducted with inadequate training and poor technique, leading to wound dehiscence and necessitating further surgical intervention. The lasting anatomical changes resulting from this have caused enduring physical and emotional distress.
Similarly, we have represented women who have suffered due to the failure to diagnose critical issues during childbirth and post-partum. In one instance, a cervical tear went undetected, leading to a significant secondary postpartum haemorrhage. The failure to identify and address this complication in a timely manner resulted in prolonged physical and emotional suffering for the mother.
Furthermore, instances of medical negligence have extended to procedures performed without sufficient justification or medical necessity. For example, we are currently handling a case involving the performance of a dilation and curettage for suspected miscarriage, despite inconclusive evidence supporting such a procedure. Tragically, this invasive intervention resulted in the perforation of the uterus, causing further harm and trauma to our client.
How we can help
At The Law Office of Conrad Curry, we are committed to seeking justice for our clients who have endured birth trauma as a result of medical negligence. Our experienced legal team provides empathetic and compassionate support for those who have suffered harm during childbirth. We believe that every person giving birth deserves access to safe and respectful maternity and postpartum care.
If you or a loved one has experienced birth trauma due to medical negligence, we understand the challenges you may be facing. Our firm is here to offer support and legal representation to help you navigate this difficult journey and seek compensation. Please contact us today for a confidential discussion.
