Villagehood Partners with Birth Trauma Australia to Support Parents During Birth Trauma Awareness Week

Villagehood

Key Facts:

• Villagehood has announced a new partnership with Birth Trauma Australia to coincide with Birth Trauma Awareness Week, connecting Australian mothers with support, education and community through the Villagehood app.
• An estimated 1 in 3 women in Australia are affected by birth-related trauma, yet the topic is frequently misunderstood or not openly discussed.
• The partnership aims to encourage more informed and compassionate conversations around birth experiences, whilst improving access to evidence-based resources and support.
• Villagehood has observed that birth experiences are among the most common topics discussed at its local meet-ups, and acknowledges these conversations can be challenging for mothers still processing traumatic births.
• The initiative seeks to equip mothers with the knowledge and tools to approach these conversations with empathy and understanding, with spokespeople from both organisations available for interview.

As Australia marks Birth Trauma Awareness Week, Villagehood has announced a new partnership with Birth Trauma Australia, helping connect parents with trusted resources, support and community through the Villagehood app.

The partnership comes as new awareness is drawn to the prevalence of birth-related trauma in Australia, where 1 in 3 women describe their birth as traumatic. With almost 287,000 registered births in Australia in 2023, Birth Trauma Australia estimates that up to 100,000 women, birthing parents and families are impacted by birth-related trauma each year.

Birth-related trauma can be physical, psychological, or a combination of both. Its effects can extend well beyond the birth itself, impacting mental health, family relationships, employment and overall wellbeing for months or even years.

For Villagehood founder Brittany Bloomer, the partnership reflects the conversations happening every day within Australia's growing mum community.

"At Villagehood meet-ups, one of the most common conversations mums have is about their birth experience. While many births are positive, we also know that for a significant number of women, those memories are painful, overwhelming or still unresolved. We wanted to ensure that when these conversations happen, mums know where to find evidence-based support and understand how to support one another with compassion."

Through the new Birth Trauma Australia village within the Villagehood app, parents will be able to access educational resources, support information and connect with a community that understands the realities of birth-related trauma.

The collaboration also aims to encourage more informed conversations among mothers, recognising that while sharing birth stories can be validating, it is equally important to approach these discussions with sensitivity and awareness that not every parent has had a positive experience.

"Connection is one of the most powerful parts of motherhood," Bloomer said. "We believe healing often begins when someone feels seen, heard and knows they are not alone. By partnering with Birth Trauma Australia, we're making it easier for parents to find the support they need, when they need it."

Throughout Birth Trauma Awareness Week, Villagehood will be encouraging parents to:

• Join the Birth Trauma Australia community on the Villagehood app.
• Access trusted information and support resources.
• Learn more about birth-related trauma and how to support friends and family who may be affected.
• Help create safe, compassionate conversations around birth experiences.

Birth Trauma Awareness Week shines a spotlight on what has often been described as a hidden epidemic, raising awareness of the lasting physical, emotional and social impacts of birth-related trauma while advocating for improved understanding and support for Australian families.

About Villagehood

Villagehood is Australia's free community app helping mums build real-life friendships through local events, meet-ups and trusted support networks. The platform connects mothers with local communities, health services, activities and organisations, making it easier to find their village during motherhood.

About Birth Trauma Australia

Birth Trauma Australia is a national organisation dedicated to improving outcomes for Australians affected by birth-related trauma through advocacy, education, awareness and support for individuals, families and healthcare professionals.

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