Media Enquiries
For media enquiries please contact Sharon Settecasse at hello@betterbirthsillawarra.org.au
Birth Trauma Inquiry in the Media
Penny Burfitt, journalist. Photo: @Billielikes
The media spotlight during the Birth Trauma Inquiry is testament to the sheer volume of submissions, the harrowing stories of trauma and the imperative for change.
Below are all the media pieces on the Birth Trauma Inquiry where BBI featured in more than 50 media pieces representing women and families across NSW and ensuring women’s voices with lived experience was heard.
Thank you to the journalists for their accurate reporting and trauma-informed care when interviewing families.
Most importantly, we wish to express our gratitude to the women for bravely talking to media about the sensitive issue of birth-related trauma.
“Better Births Illawarra were included in more than 90% of the media surrounding the birth trauma inquiry”
November 2024
Marie Clare Australia, November issue (370,000 readership)
August 2024
The Guardian Australia - NSW Health Minister apologises to women failed by maternity care after birth trauma inquiry
ABC News - Birth trauma inquiry response disappoints NSW women who wanted 'bolder' action - ABC News
SBS News - The 'missing element' in NSW's historic promise to end birth trauma | SBS News
Al Jazeera English - ‘I wish I was listened to’: NSW to respond to landmark birth trauma inquiry | Women News | Al Jazeera
Illawarra Mercury - Apology, reform after landmark birth trauma inquiry | Illawarra Mercury | Wollongong, NSW
Sydney Morning Herald - NSW birth trauma inquiry: Health Minister Ryan Park apologises to women failed by maternity care (smh.com.au)
SBS News - Disappointment as midwifery continuity of care not prioritised by NSW | SBS News
Illawarra Mercury - Response to birth trauma inquiry falls short, Illawarra mums say. | Illawarra Mercury | Wollongong, NSW
May 2024
The Guardian - ‘I felt guilty’: women reveal harrowing details to groundbreaking NSW birth trauma inquiry | Health | The Guardian
The Daily Aus - NSW Parliament committee on birth trauma delivers final report (thedailyaus.com.au)
Illawarra Mercury - Illawarra mothers push for stronger birth trauma reform
Illawarra Mercury - Birth trauma inquiry report brings hope for change in Illawarra | Illawarra Mercury | Wollongong, NSW
March 2024
Illawarra Mercury - Hopes for improvement at Wollongong Hospital as birth trauma hearings end
ABC News - NSW Birth Trauma Inquiry to hear families of Down Syndrome babies feel pressure to terminate
November 2023
The Practising Midwifery Journal - Consumer Advocacy Groups: A voice for Survivors in the Birth Trauma Inquiry
September 2023
CNN World News - 'MeToo' for mothers: Australian inquiry hears troubling accounts of birth trauma | CNN
WIN NEWS Illawarra (Video) - Wollongong Public Hearing - Birth Trauma Inquiry
ABC News - NSW inquiry into birth trauma hears how 'disrespectful' care has left mothers traumatised - ABC News
ABC News - NSW government announces maternity care advisory group in wake of birth trauma inquiry - ABC News
Illawarra Mercury - Better Births Illawarra claim 'seven years of inaction' has led to birth trauma inquiry | Illawarra Mercury | Wollongong, NSW
Illawarra Mercury - A single image will stay with Health Minister Ryan Park from Wollongong's birth trauma hearing | Illawarra Mercury | Wollongong, NSW
Illawarra Mercury - What it's like to be pregnant amid Wollongong's shocking birth trauma stories | Illawarra Mercury | Wollongong, NSW
Illawarra Mercury - Inspiration for who to nominate in Illawarra citizen of the year awards | Illawarra Mercury | Wollongong, NSW
August 2023
ABC NEWS TV (video) : Traumatic Births
Daily Telegraph - How you can help make change for birthing mothers with the NSW Inquiry into Birth Trauma
The Great Birth Rebellion Podcast - How to Change the System: Guests Sharon Settecasse Better Births Illawarra and senior researcher Hazel Keedle
Illawarra Mercury - Women's birth plans 'mocked' by staff, Wollongong midwife tells NSW inquiry | Illawarra Mercury | Wollongong, NSW
Illawarra Mercury - Birth trauma 'widespread' in the Illawarra, consumer advocacy group says | Illawarra Mercury | Wollongong, NSW
Illawarra Mercury - 'I gave birth to my daughter twice': Women speak ahead of birth trauma event | Illawarra Mercury | Wollongong, NSW
Illawarra Mercury - Rising birth interventions 'complex and multi-factorial', Illawarra health district says | Illawarra Mercury | Wollongong, NSW
Illawarra Mercury - NSW women give birth in 'a system designed by middle aged white men': inquiry | Illawarra Mercury | Wollongong, NSW
Illawarra Mercury - Thousands of submissions lodged in NSW birth trauma inquiry | Illawarra Mercury | Wollongong, NSW
Illawarra Mercury - Public hearing into birth trauma to be held in Wollongong | Illawarra Mercury | Wollongong, NSW
Illawarra Mercury - Birth trauma inquiry: Hospital boss says 'we must listen and make changes' | Illawarra Mercury | Wollongong, NSW
Illawarra Mercury Birth Trauma Hearing - Video
Region Illawarra - Safer births and less suffering – Illawarra community takes steps to stop birth trauma in local hospitals | Region Illawarra
Illawarra Flame - Illawarra advocacy group campaigns for more midwives, better births (theillawarraflame.com.au)
APRIL, June, July 2023
ABC News - Women speak out about birth trauma ahead of NSW parliamentary inquiry - ABC News
WIN NEWS Illawarra - Birth Trauma Awareness Event
Illawarra Mercury - 'Nobody can turn an blind eye to birth trauma anymore,' Emma Hurst MP tells Illawarra women | Illawarra Mercury | Wollongong, NSW
Illawarra Flame - Facing birth trauma (theillawarraflame.com.au)