Oldham mum opens up about birth trauma in the hopes others will too
We're shining a light on what women are facing before, during and after labour
An Oldham mum who had a traumatic birth is hoping her story will make others open up about their own.
All this week we are shining a light on what women are facing before, during or after labour.
Up to 30,000 women experience birth trauma each year and around 1 in 20 will experience PTSD.
Chloë Basnett had a traumatic birth with her first born, she thinks some more training will help transform the birthing experience: "I now have a lack of trust and confidence in that system, and that is what a lot of women are feeling.
"Something needs to change, we need to be trusting of the people who are supposed to be caring for us and helping us."
Chloë, who now supports other parents who've faced a traumatic birth, said it's important women continue speaking up so that change can happen: "The system as a whole is what needs a revamp... listen to the women, listen to the mothers that are actually going through this."
The mother-of-two wants to see more communication and continuity from midwives: "There's definitely hope, these are not things that can't be changed, and it's not just 'oh birth is inherently traumatic', you don't have to experience your birth as traumatic, and sadly too many women have experienced it that way, who didn't need to.
"If a women does end up needing some sort of medical intervention, if that's not then being explained to her, that's completely taking the control out of her, its taking her power away and that is then going to increase the chances of that being a traumatic experience."
Find out more about Birth Trauma, including where you can get support.
Hits and Greatest Hits Radio Manchester have approached the Department for Health and Social Care for a statement.