EPLC welcomes birth trauma report, recommendations
The Early Pregnancy Loss Coalition welcomes the recommendations on miscarriage from the New South Wales parliamentary inquiry into birth trauma. It notes that several of the recommendations in its submission were taken up in the final report.
In particular the EPLC draws attention to:
Recommendation 35:
That the NSW Government ensure dedicated spaces are available for parents experiencing miscarriage or stillbirth in all healthcare settings, including private waiting rooms separate from pregnant women, new mothers and babies, and that all maternity healthcare practitioners are provided training on bereavement support.
Recommendation 36:
That the NSW Government improve psychological support for parents managing grief following pregnancy loss.
The EPLC also notes the committee’s comments that, “Stakeholders presented compelling evidence highlighting the traumatic effects of miscarriage and stillbirth, which the committee understands can be unnecessarily exacerbated by shortcomings in maternity care. This includes insufficient counselling and psychological support, and inadequate privacy and space for grieving.”
The following quote is attributable to Dr Jade Bilardi, EPLC Board Member and co-lead author on the EPLC’s submission to the inquiry:
“We welcome these recommendations in NSW, which are consistent with best practice guidelines, as accepted worldwide. We hope this means there is more positive change in the pipeline for patients who experience miscarriage and early pregnancy loss,” said Dr Bilardi, Senior Research Fellow, Monash University.
Advocate and submission co-lead author Karen Schlage added, “I am grateful to the NSW Select Committee for recognising the birth trauma experienced by many, due to the location of their care during pregnancy loss”.
“Implementation by the NSW Government of dedicated spaces for pregnancy loss and improved bereavement care will help to ensure other families do not experience the same suffering”.
Today’s findings follow the announcement that untied funding for miscarriage was included in an Australian Federal Budget for the first time ever.
“We are witnessing a change in the tide. It’s well past time for us to do better by patients,” Isabelle Oderberg, EPLC Chair and author of Hard to Bear: Investigating the science and silence of miscarriage.
About the Early Pregnancy Loss Coalition (EPLC)
The EPLC was founded in 2023 to advocate for improved care and support for people affected by early pregnancy loss (miscarriage) and their families. The coalition seeks to address gaps in care, communication, data, and research in this area, striving to provide a collective voice to the government and push for critical changes. www.eplc.au
For interviews or further information:
Email info@eplc.au
EPLC Member Organisations
Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation
Australian College of Midwives
Australasian Society for Ultrasound in Medicine
Bears of Hope
Centre for Perinatal Excellence
Doctors for the Environment
Early Pregnancy Network Victoria
Miscarriage Information Support Service
Mums Matter Psychology
PANDA
Pink Elephants Support Network
Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists
Red Nose
