Our Vision:

  • For all women and birthing parents to access an empowered birth.

  • For all women and birthing parents to access continuity of midwifery carer models. A public maternity service where a known midwife supports a mother or birthing parent through pregnancy, birth and post-partum.

  • For all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women to access culturally safe, respectful maternity care.

  • All preventable birth trauma is eliminated

Our Objective:

  • Increase the number of midwifery-led continuity of care models across Australia by 50% by 2030.

  • Maintain high quality Midwifery Group Practice.

  • Ensure Federal and State investment in respectful woman-centered, trauma-informed, culturally-safe maternity services.

  • Inform and empower the community through evidence based education

  • Facilitate community forums for women, parents and healthcare professionals from a range of backgrounds the opportunity to connect, learn, share their stories and experiences in a supportive environment. 

  • Be a bridge between the community, political leaders and healthcare executives.

  • Support First Nations partners in their call for Birthing on Country programs.

Our Impact

In March 2023, BBI spearheaded a successful campaign during the NSW Parliamentary Inquiry into Birth Trauma. Our efforts contributed to a record-breaking 4,200 submissions, the highest in NSW Inquiry history. We provided testimony at public hearings and supported women in sharing their experiences in Wollongong and Sydney. Our advocacy ensured representation in over 50 media pieces, amplifying the voices of women and families across NSW.

On August 28th, NSW Health Minister Ryan Park publicly apologized to women harmed by the maternity care system, acknowledging the distressing and avoidable nature of many birth traumas. The government supported 42 of the 43 recommendations from the final Birth Trauma Report, reflecting the impact of our collective advocacy.

In 2018, our successful political lobbying resulted in a refurbishment of Wollongong hospital suites. The $2.2 million dollar upgrade was the start. We participated as consumer representatives in the co-design of the suites, connecting researchers with the construction manager The result is a state-of the-art environment.

Our Initiatives

Beyond advocating for increased access for all women to access continuity of midwifery carer and reducing birth trauma, our initiatives include":

  • Antenatal education - Evidence-based information to expectant parents

  • Informed consent training to the community

  • Community Consultation hub

  • Co-design of publicly funded birth facilities including Wollongong hospital, Milton/Ulladulla hospital and Shellharbour hospital

  • Increase access to publicly funded homebirths.

  • Increase access to private homebirth with a known midwife

  • Advocacy and accountability on reducing unnecessary medical interventions.

  • Holding community catch-ups providing support networks for pregnant, new parents and people healing from birth trauma.

Our work is conducted on what always was and always will be Aboriginal land — the Countries of the Wodi Wodi, Wandi Wandandian, Dharawal, Yuin of the Yuin Nation. Our work is committed to justice for all people including the sovereignty of First Nations people, knowledge systems and practices. In our work, we commit to reverence, healing, respect, responsibility and reciprocity with all beings, the land, sky, seas and waterways and pay our deepest respect to Elders past, present and emerging.