Dusk Liney has shared  how trauma contributed to her experience of perinatal depression and anxiety.
Share this @internewscast.com

Moments after becoming a mother, Dusk Liney underwent a medical procedure that threw her back into “the darkest time” of her life.

The Victoria mum had sustained a third-degree tear during delivery and doctors stepped in to surgically repair it.

The procedure left her in “fight or flight” mode for days afterwards.

Dusk Liney has shared  how trauma contributed to her experience of perinatal depression and anxiety.
Dusk Liney’s past trauma contributed to her experience of perinatal depression and anxiety. (Supplied)

“I wasn’t aware of the procedures being performed on my body, and when I requested that information, I was informed it wasn’t possible,” Liney shared with 9news.com.au.

“I don’t think that [some doctors] realise the power dynamic that they’re in and how [it can] mirror the experience of abuse.”

Liney was sexually abused as a child, an experience she sadly shares with about 11 per cent of Australian women.

Additionally, 22 per cent of Australian women have endured sexual violence since turning 15, and over half have faced sexual harassment.

This has led many to endure trauma that might resurface during pregnancy, childbirth, and the early phases of motherhood; trauma that elevates the risk of perinatal depression and anxiety (PNDA).

Impacting about 100,000 expectant and new parents (one in five mothers and one in 10 fathers) every year in Australia, PNDA costs the economy $877 million annually.

Risk factors include mental illness and past trauma or abuse, but Liney thought she’d worked through her trauma and complex post-traumatic stress disorder (CPTSD) before she fell pregnant.

She had a “false belief” that being a sexual abuse survivor wouldn’t affect her experience of motherhood.

Dusk Liney has shared  how trauma contributed to her experience of perinatal depression and anxiety.
Liney thought being a sexual abuse survivor wouldn’t affect her experience of motherhood. (Supplied)

”One of my friends was a student midwife and she said, ‘I’m not sure if you’re aware but sometimes for survivors, things can come up during birth,'” Liney said.

”I couldn’t believe that the darkest time of my life could somehow come in and rob me of that joy.”

Instead, her trauma resurfaced during her pregnancy, birth and postpartum, leaving her struggling with feelings of guilt and shame.

Being retraumatised during the tear repair procedure was particularly difficult to cope with and though Liney had positive experiences, especially with her midwives, her mental health deteriorated and she experienced PNDA.

It’s a common experience among survivors who become parents.

A 2021 study found that new mothers who experienced childhood sexual abuse were significantly more likely to experience depressive and anxiety symptoms than those who did not experience abuse.

Another from 2014 showed that women who had experienced physical, sexual, or emotional abuse as adults were also significantly more likely to report perinatal depression.

Anecdotally, survivors have reported that being retraumatised in medical settings during the perinatal period can exacerbate feelings of depression and anxiety.

“Small things that seem like an everyday part of medical practice, like walking into somebody’s room without knocking, can be extremely scary when you’ve spent your childhood watching the door,” Liney said.

“Being retraumatised, it put my body into fight or flight … the hyper vigilance that I had to protect myself and my daughter was was huge.”

It took her years to work through her perinatal mental health struggles and feel safe and ready to speak publicly about the need for trauma-aware care for all Australian parents, whether they’re a sexual abuse survivor or not.

Now a trauma-sensitive doula and maternity care educator, Liney’s calling for education and training for medical professionals to ensure they understand trauma and how best to provide care while instilling a feeling of safety and respect in patients.

“It isn’t just about being a survivor. To be a woman in the world is to have experienced trauma,” she said.

“You don’t need to know what someone’s gone through [because] when we provide trauma aware support […] it makes everyone’s experience better.”

Liney shared her experience on Gidget Foundation Australia’s 1 in 5 Mothers, 1 in 10 Fathers podcast, hosted by Nine’s Davina Smith, to encourage comversation about the importance of trauma-aware care for positive perinatal mental health outcomes.

Because if her obstetrics team had understood a little better eight years ago, when she gave birth, her experience may have been very different.

Dusk Liney has shared  how trauma contributed to her experience of perinatal depression and anxiety.
Now a trauma-sensitive doula and maternity care educator, Liney’s calling for better education and training for medical professionals. (Supplied)

There’s no way to change what happened to her or the ways in which she’s been retraumatised but she hopes to help other survivors.

Today her daughter is eight and Liney, after years of work and support, has recovered and is thriving – an experience she wants for all parents with a history of trauma.

“I’ve witnessed it time and time again, where midwives and medical professionals are participants in that healing process for people and it’s just incredible to see,” Liney said.

“There’s so much hope and possibility, we just need to be having these conversations.”

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like

Devastating Texas Floods Claim Over 43 Lives; Numerous Children Still Unaccounted For

Some 43 people, including 15 children, have been confirmed dead following flash…

‘Appalling behavior’: Prime Minister denounces synagogue assault, as police disclose new event

Victoria Police has not declared an arson attack at a Melbourne synagogue…
A Camp Mystic sign is seen near the entrance to the establishment along the banks of the Guadalupe River after a flash flood swept through the area in Hunt, Texas, Saturday, July 5, 2025. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)

Flash Floods in Texas Claim 37 Lives, Including 14 Children

The storm killed at least 37 people across the state, including 14…

The Rising Popularity of Homeschooling in Australia: Reasons and Trends

Once a primary school teacher, Clarissa Valentine couldn’t have imagined she would…
Two teenagers charged after allegedly crashing stolen car into tow truck on the Gold Coast

Teens Arrested Following Alleged Mercedes Theft and Collision with Tow Truck

Two teenagers have been charged over an alleged hit and run involving…

Understanding Our Reactions to Emotional Displays in the Workplace

This week, UK chancellor Rachel Reeves gained international attention — not because…
A concerned Melbourne father has uncovered that alleged paedophile Joshua Brown worked at his daughter's childcare last year.

“You Feel Disturbed”: Melbourne Dad Finds Alleged Pedophile Next to His Daughter

A concerned Melbourne father has uncovered that alleged paedophile Joshua Brown worked…
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese keynote speech John Curtin research centre

“PM’s Discreet Note on Australia’s Independent Approach Amid US Dependence”

Anthony Albanese appeared to subtly try to indicate a move away from…

Devastating Texas Floods: Over 32 Lives Lost and Many Children Still Unaccounted For

US authorities say 32 people, including 14 children are confirmed dead after…

Tour de France Stage 1 Recap: Philipsen Triumphs in Windy Start, Evenepoel Caught in Breakaway

There were mixed outcomes for the multitude of Belgian fans who crossed…

Trump Claims TikTok Deal Nearly Done, Awaiting China’s Approval

President Donald Trump says the United States “pretty much” has a deal…
Friends of Sydney socialite and stylist Kelly Smythe (pictured) are growing concerned in the wake of her shocking forgery scam scandal

Rising Worry for Ex-Sydney Socialite and Fashion Icon Kelly Smythe Following Alleged Forgery Scandal Accusations

Friends of Sydney socialite and stylist Kelly Smythe are growing concerned in…