Industry & Reform
Industry & Reform
‘ Painful memories ’
“ The MeToo moment for birth ”: NSW birth trauma inquiry
By Arshmah Jamal
“ I
’ m sorry .” These are the words that Naomi Bowden repeated as she tearfully attempted to get through her opening statement to a New South Wales parliamentary inquiry into birth trauma in Wollongong held in early September .
Ms Bowden tearfully spoke about her daughter , Bella , who was born stillborn 14 years ago at Wollongong Hospital .
“ The death of my baby was heartbreaking enough , but it was the disrespectful , inappropriate , and appalling
10 | nursingreview . com . au treatment by numerous staff at this hospital that exacerbated and left me profoundly traumatised .”
Ms Bowden explained that aside from perinatal depression , which she had been treated for , it was a “ textbook ” pregnancy .
During her labour on 4 November 2009 , Ms Bowden had high blood pressure , causing concern among medical staff .
However , she realised the severity of the problem when Bella was placed on her chest moments after birth , where she seemed “ white , floppy , not crying , and unresponsive ”.
“ The time immediately after her birth holds vivid , painful memories , including seeing my baby for the first time after being rudely directed into a small room where she lay lifeless and intubated ,” Ms Bowden tearfully explained at the inquiry .
Bella was taken away for emergency care but could not be revived .
Her death was listed as unexplained , and Ms Bowden said the coroner was contacted , with the police arriving shortly after .
She was then forced to identify her newborn ’ s body .
“ It was distressing having your baby taken off you by police officers and placed into a Styrofoam box ,” Ms Bowden said .
“ I felt confused , unsure , and no one was there to help us understand at all .”
Six weeks later , Naomi went to a post-birth appointment . On arrival , the medical staff questioned where her baby was .