Day 2 | Session 1: Birth Trauma
Pelvic health physiotherapist’s insight and perspective: assessment and treatment for maternal birth injuries
Conservative pelvic health physiotherapy treatment is the international recommendation for many maternal birth injuries and the consequential injuries/symptoms associated with them. An overview of pelvic health physiotherapy assessment techniques will be presented, along with common treatment practices for these conditions.
Dr Melissa Davidson
Specialist Physiotherapist in Pelvic Health
Dr Melissa Davidson is the only registered Specialist Physiotherapist in Pelvic Health with the Physiotherapy Board of New Zealand and is the current President of the International Organisation of Physiotherapists in Pelvic and Women’s Health. She is also on the Expert Advisory Group for Maternal Birth Injuries working with ACC. Over the last 32 years, Melissa has combined post graduate studies (PhD, MPhil, Post Graduate Certificates in Pelvic Health, Manipulation, and Acupuncture) with a clinical caseload and has advanced patient care by providing governance and training courses to health professionals nationally and internationally.
Maternal birth injuries: ACC data on Claim volumes, what’s being covered, and what cover looks like from an equity perspective
Delving into the changes that occurred on October 1st, 2022 with ACC covering Maternal Birth Injuries. Who is accessing supports from ACC and how we can ensure that injured birthing parents are supported now and moving forward.
Shaun Westhead
Chair of ACC's Expert Advisory Group for Maternal Birth Injuries
Shaun Westhead is a Physiotherapist who works at ACC as a Product Owner in the group that delivers ACC’s Health Sector Strategy work. Shaun is the Chair of ACC’s Expert Advisory Group for Maternal Birth Injuries and also co-lead the delivery of the changes needed to enable ACC to meet the requirements of the Accident Compensation (Maternal Birth Injury and Other Matters) Amendment Bill that came into effect on the 1st of October.
In his spare time Shaun enjoys spending time with his two children and beautiful wife Vicky.
How traditional practice heals and prevents birth trauma
“How do we reach our full potential in a system that wasn’t designed for us?” Tamara is a Māori Midwife with high aspirations for her profession building it's Māori leadership capability for the next generation of Te Tiriti honouring meaningful partnerships.
Tamara Karu
Clinical Advisor Midwifery, Te Aka Whai Ora
Ko Moehau ki tai, ko Te Aroha ki uta. He uri nō Ngati Tamaterā, nō Ngāti Tara tēnei e mihi ana ki a koutou.
Tamara says her passion lies in Māori Health Equity through the reclamation of Indigenous birthing practice in contemporary times and is currently Clinical Advisor Midwifery with Kahu Taurima Maternity and Early Years, Te Aka Whaiora.
Free communications: Implementation of a postpartum clinic: preventing birth trauma and more
Background: In 2020 Waikato Hospital implemented a postpartum clinic to offer women an opportunity to debrief their birth experience. It was offered to women who required HDU admission, suffered a significant adverse event/traumatic birth experience. During the consultation events are debriefed, patients are referred for mental health counselling and future pregnancies discussed.
This baseline research reviews outcomes from the clinic, since its implementation, and analyses whether it’s servicing the needs of the referred patients. Our overall aim is to review a woman's experience through this clinic and ascertain whether it was a beneficial part in their postpartum journey and for the department.