Overview

Many parents come to Gidget Foundation Australia for support with processing their birth, and for 1 in 3 parents the birth of their child will be perceived as traumatic. Birth Trauma may impact the birthing or non-birthing parent. It is often described as a silent pain. It is such an individual experience and what may be traumatic for one will not be for another. Left on its own, it can have long lasting effects on the mum, baby and the wider family.

This activity has been designed to give midwives, nurses, doctors, social workers, psychologists, and allied health professionals the knowledge and confidence to respond effectively.

Across four engaging online modules, participants will explore what birth trauma is, why it happens, how it presents in clinical settings, and the crucial steps that can be taken to prevent and support recovery.

1. Introduction to Birth Trauma – explore causes, symptoms, and impacts.

2. Birth Trauma Considerations – understand how trauma can present differently across contexts.

3. Prevention and Support – learn strategies to reduce risk and respond effectively.

4. Trauma-Informed Care in Practice – apply insights to support recovery and enhance patient outcomes.

Blending evidence-based frameworks with practical strategies, this two-hour training equips professionals to better recognise signs of trauma, minimise risk, and support clients and families navigating its aftermath. With interactive assessments woven throughout, learners can immediately apply their understanding and consolidate new skills. This is an opportunity to not only build your professional expertise, but also to contribute to safer, more supportive birth experiences for the families you work with.

On successful completion, participants are awarded a micro-credential in Birth Trauma and a digital badge, recognition that can be added to professional profiles, CVs, or LinkedIn.

Content advisory note

Material covered in this module may trigger difficult feelings. Feel free to take a moment for yourself, disengage from the content and utilise any self-care strategies.

Level of Learning

Intermediate. This activity is targeted to those with some knowledge on the topic.

Target audience

This activity is suitable for health professional including psychologists, social workers, general practitioners, occupational therapists, nurses, midwives, and allied health practitioners.

APS CPD-Approved

This activity has been assessed against the APS Standards for CPD activities and approved for its education quality. Learn more about the APS CPD Approval process.

Related activities

• Professional certificate in perinatal mental health - Foundational microcredential 8 CPD hours
• Self-care 1 CPD hour
• Perinatal loss & grief 2 CPD hours

Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this activity, participants should be able to:

• define birth trauma and explain how it is shaped by both clinical events and the birthing person’s subjective experience,
• identify key risk and protective factors for birth trauma, including clinical, interpersonal, systemic, and sociocultural influences,
• describe evidence-informed strategies to prevent birth trauma through respectful, collaborative, and person-centred care including the integration of lived experience perspectives, and
• apply trauma-informed and relational approaches to support recovery from birth trauma, including the use of peer support and reflective listening.

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