An obstetrician and gynaecologist says women who have suffered injuries giving birth wait much longer for treatment in certain regions.
Research has found that women's access to care for birth injuries depends largely on where they live. Photo: 123RF
Michelle Wise, who lectures at the University of Auckland, said birth injuries were very common, and up to 10 percent of first-time mothers suffered third-degree tears.
However, Dr Wise said research had found women's access to care depends largely on where they live.
"Sometimes we get referrals months down the track - last month I saw somebody who was about 10 months post-partum, who had really been suffering from symptoms and finally was in to see me as a specialist."
Wise is pleased a bill extending accident compensation cover to birth injuries is now before Parliament.
But she says it should cover all birth injuries, including mental trauma.
Submissions on the ACC (Maternal Birth Injury and Other Matters) Amendment Bill closed yesterday.