One in three women in Australia view their birth as traumatic, with an estimated 100,000 people impacted by both physical and psychological birth-related trauma each year.  

New evidence from the Australian Physiotherapy Association (APA) underscores the irrefutable need for government-funded physiotherapy before, during and after pregnancy to ensure every parent has the best chance at a trauma-free birth.  

Specialist Women’s, Men’s and Pelvic Health Physiotherapist* Dr Angela James said parents should be given the care they need, when they need it, without worrying about needing to pay for essential pregnancy healthcare.

‘Birth trauma doesn’t end when the baby arrives. The impact of birth trauma can be severe and permeate parents’ lives long after birth by affecting their ability to take part in almost every facet of daily life, including intimate relationships, work, and undertaking basic household activities,’ Dr James said.

‘We know that the earlier a pregnant person can see a physiotherapist, the better their physical and in-turn, mental health is during and after birth. However, lack of funding prevents at-risk groups, particularly those outside of metro areas and from lower socioeconomic background from receiving this essential healthcare,’ Dr James said.  

Like many expecting parents, Kira Freeman found navigating pregnancy overwhelming and engaged a physiotherapist at her second trimester to help maintain her health during the pregnancy and after the birth of her now seven-month-old son, Tyler.  

‘Seeing a physiotherapist has been one of the best things I have done for my body. Before birth, it helped me prepare my core and pelvic floor, so everything worked with me, not against me. It reduced pain, kept me moving and meant I did not need to rely on other medical services as often because issues were managed early. After birth, my physiotherapist checked my pelvic floor, helped with abdominal separation, eased tension from labour and gave me a clear plan for rebuilding strength without guesswork,’ Kira said.  

‘We prepare for so many things in life, but I found birth preparation can sometimes be limited. By the time labour came, I felt confident and empowered because I understood how to support my body and my baby to work together because of physiotherapy,’ she said.  

The APA’s position statement calls for every pregnant person in Australia to have access to funded physiotherapy, so their experience can be empowered, just like Kira’s.

‘Physiotherapy is essential at every stage of childbirth. It reduces the likelihood of pelvic floor injury and perineal tears, supports early identification of trauma, and promotes metabolic health for both parent and baby,’ said Dr James.

Dr James says the clear intersection between physical and mental health is undeniable, and embedding physiotherapy into a pregnant-person's treatment plan will provide better physical outcomes and may reduce emotional distress.

‘During Perinatal Mental Health Week next week, and every other week, it is more important than ever to put the health and wellbeing of parents first, and that entails the government funding healthcare that will impact the physical and emotional outcomes during birth—like physiotherapy’.  

The APA’s statement highlights five recommendations for government reform:

• Medicare-funded pelvic health physiotherapy.
• A dedicated Medicare Benefits Schedule item for frontline physiotherapy treatment of physical birthing trauma injuries.
• Funded access to outpatient physiotherapy telehealth consultations.
• Further analysis on the economic, health and social impact of physical birth trauma in Australia.
• Professional development to grow Australia’s pelvic health physiotherapy workforce.

Dr James will attend Perinatal Anxiety and Depression Australia’s (PANDA) luncheon next week for National Perinatal Mental Health Week, alongside Minister for Health, Disability and Ageing of Australia Mark Butler and Minister for Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Emma McBride where she will present the key recommendations from the position statement.

-ENDS-

Dr Angela James is the National Chair of the Australian Physiotherapy Association (APA) Women’s, Men’s and Pelvic Health National Group and is a Specialist Women’s, Men’s and Pelvic Health Physiotherapist. She is available for immediate comment.  

Kira is a new mother of a seven-month-old son who experienced physiotherapy from second-trimester to post-birth. She is also available for interview.  

*As awarded by the Australian College of Physiotherapists in 2022.