The Make Birth Better Campaign began on Instagram during Birth Trauma Awareness Week. I uploaded a post about the difference between Post Natal Depression and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and the response floored me. Women contacted me throughout that day, letting me know that they had been deeply affected by their births but had felt unable to speak about them. It seemed so important that we hear women's stories of birth - and the stories of those with them during birth, so that we can learn how to improve the experience of birth for women. Birth can be transformational, and we need to do what we can to make sure that transformation starts a woman on her journey to motherhood feeling empowered and respected. 

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The stories collected over Birth Trauma Awareness Week were analysed (using a grounded theory analysis) and can be read here. 

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If you are pregnant and reading this, I hope you find the stories informative - by hearing all aspects of birth we can make truly informed decisions about our care. Please take a look here to read about the ways in which you could make your own birth better. Please do also read a range of stories, many of the women who have written their own stories expressed a wish that they had read about all aspects of birth before giving birth themselves. Also have a look at the Resources listed for great sites and books to improve your chances of a positive birth. 

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If you have a birth story to share, please do so here. 

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If you are a professional reading this, please spend some time here. It is clear from the stories here that the role of professionals working with women and their families can can make or break a new mum. You can also look at the Professionals section for information on professionals' views, getting support and examples of good practice. 

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Emma Svanberg, 

Perinatal Clinical Psychologist

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