Clarke discusses birth trauma, sharing personal experience of a traumatic childbirth leading to significant physical injuries. She highlights disparities in post-natal care across the UK, citing statistics on PTSD and physical injuries affecting mothers after childbirth. Clarke calls for better mental health services, mandatory training for midwives, and improvements in healthcare communication and support.

Leadsom thanks Clarke for raising awareness of birth trauma and expresses her full support for the campaign to improve care for women who have experienced traumatic births.

Shannon compliments Clarke on her courage in sharing personal stories and agrees that counselling and help should be offered at the beginning of the recovery process, accessible to all women experiencing birth trauma.

Congratulates the hon. Lady on her opening speech and thanks Mr Speaker for granting a proxy vote.

Describes birth trauma as psychological distress after childbirth, citing the Birth Trauma Association's definition. References the Mumsnet birth trauma survey with shocking statistics and stories. Acknowledges the Kirkup review for its work in east Kent and highlights poor care received by women. Emphasises the importance of kindness, good manners, and respect for staff in improving patient care standards. Mentions difficulties faced by whistleblowers and the need for listening to women's experiences as highlighted in Dr Kirkup’s report.

Pays tribute to her constituent Tracie Reynolds who lost her daughter Trinity 20 years ago due to maternity service issues, thanking Rosie Duffield and Theo Clarke for bringing forward this debate on birth trauma.

Douglas Ross highlighted the high percentage of women experiencing birth trauma, citing a Mumsnet survey that found 79% of women reported such experiences. He emphasised the importance of being listened to and feeling supported during childbirth, using examples from constituents in his area who had faced traumatic situations due to downgraded maternity services at Dr Grey’s Hospital in Elgin. Ross described personal experiences with his wife's pregnancy and delivery complications, including a stressful transfer to Aberdeen by ambulance when their second child, James, was born. He also shared the birth story of another constituent who faced significant hardship during her labour and delivery in Aberdeen, leading to lasting psychological impacts. These cases illustrate the unacceptable care some women receive, which can lead to long-term trauma.

Morgan shared her personal experience of childbirth nearly 15 years ago, where she had an emergency caesarean section. She highlighted concerns over societal and medical profession attitudes towards C-sections, noting that while vaginal delivery is generally preferred when possible, women who need a medically necessary C-section should not be made to feel like failures. Morgan argued for the celebration of medical advances in saving lives rather than stigmatizing those who require intervention during childbirth. She also pointed out examples where reluctance to perform C-sections led to traumatic experiences or worse outcomes for mothers and babies.

Thanked the hon. Member for Stafford for securing the debate and acknowledged her courage in sharing her personal story about birth trauma. She also thanked other speakers, including the hon. Member for Canterbury for advocating for women's rights and health issues. Mackrory highlighted the importance of continuity of care to reduce birth trauma, noting that it is particularly important given the higher risk of stillbirth among black mothers (seven in 1,000). She praised the work done by the Royal Cornwall Hospital in improving maternity care, including the upcoming new women and children’s hospital. Mackrory emphasised the need for healthcare professionals to listen to women's experiences and needs during childbirth.

Asked Cherilyn Mackrory if she agreed that maternal deaths among black and ethnic minority women are especially horrific, highlighting the need for work with groups such as Five X More to address this issue.

It is a privilege to follow the speech by Cherilyn Mackrory and express gratitude towards Theo Clarke for opening the debate. Oswald highlights the significant trauma women experience during childbirth, which can vary greatly among individuals and requires serious attention. She praises Patricia Gibson's work in supporting women affected by stillbirth and baby loss. The Birth Trauma Association reports that 4% to 5% of women who give birth develop PTSD, with up to 9 in 10 first-time mothers experiencing tears during vaginal births. Oswald shares a personal story of a woman who experienced unconsented medical procedures during childbirth, leading to long-term psychological and physical impacts including PTSD. She emphasises the importance of listening to women's experiences and stresses that black and Asian women face disproportionately higher risks. Additionally, she expresses concern for mothers in challenging global situations.

I thank the hon. Member for Stafford for securing this important debate, acknowledging her courage in sharing a personal story about birth trauma. I praise my hon. Friend the Member for Canterbury for launching the all-party parliamentary group for birth trauma and express admiration to the hon. Members for Moray, North Shropshire, and Truro and Falmouth for their contributions. The Care Quality Commission’s “Maternity survey 2022” reported a decline in women's experiences of care from 74% in 2017 to 69% in 2022, with only 70% receiving the necessary postnatal support. Less than half of mothers can get evening or night-time feeding support, down from 56% in 2017. Labour’s mission includes a target to end black maternal mortality gaps and addresses health inequalities exacerbated by the pandemic. The Maternal Mental Health Alliance welcomes the roll-out of mental health services but highlights significant variations in availability and sustainable funding across England.

Congratulates colleagues for sharing personal experiences and tributes to her work as a former Minister for maternity services. She mentions specific cases of birth trauma, including those shared by the hon. Member for North Shropshire, the hon. Member for Canterbury, and her own experience as a partner. Emphasises the importance of compassionate care in reducing and preventing birth trauma, and highlights the Government's progress on implementing perinatal pelvic health services to manage such injuries better.

Compliments health practitioners like Stephanie Milne for their work supporting women through post-natal healthcare support after birth trauma. Asks if the NHS can do more in this area.

Clarke thanks the Minister and hon. Members for their contributions, specifically mentioning those who have done significant work on baby loss and those who shared personal experiences of constituents regarding birth trauma. He also acknowledges the contribution from a member who discussed the experience of dads, emphasising the importance of including diverse perspectives in these discussions.