The young pregnant woman knew something was wrong when her baby's movements became weaker.
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During an appointment weeks before she was due to give birth at a NSW hospital, the 19-year-old was dismissed when she told a midwife about her fears.
She went into labour days later and had an emergency caesarean section after the baby's heart rate could not be detected.
On March 29, 1997, the woman gave birth to a stillborn daughter.
Almost three decades later, the mother is set to share her ongoing heartbreak on Monday at the final hearing of the NSW parliamentary inquiry into birth trauma.
The inquiry, which received submissions from patients, doctors, midwives and experts around Australia, has been examining the prevalence and effects of birth trauma.
Many witnesses have given evidence of life-threatening experiences, birth injuries, non-consensual procedures and insensitive treatment by staff.
The woman, due to be the first witness, said she had lived with post-traumatic stress disorder since the stillbirth.
She described waking up in a recovery room alone after surgery and being sedated when she asked about the birth and her baby.
"I will never trust any part of the medical profession again," she wrote in her submission to the inquiry.
"I can't stand hospitals and I am terrified (if) any of my children ever needed intervention medically.
"At the age of 19, my life was destroyed by the actions of multiple staff."
Another young mother is due to share her story about a rough and painful procedure to remove fragments of placenta soon after giving birth in a NSW hospital in 2019.
She was discharged with high blood pressure, only to collapse at her cleaning job about a week later suffering a stroke.
"My story is distressing but I'm proud of how far I have come," the woman said in her written submission.
"I walk, I can talk and I can live a normal life, however, (the) challenges I endured for two years straight haunt me."
Psychologists, breastfeeding educators and a disability maternity care group are also scheduled to give evidence to the committee in the sixth public hearing.
The Australian Association of Psychologists' submission said up to five per cent of women have reported physical or emotional distress due to poor birthing experiences.
First Nations people and those living in regional and rural areas often cannot access adequate and timely psychological care, while young parents can face bias in the health system.
"Resource constraints and workforce shortages in psychology can impact the availability of continuous care, particularly in regional and rural areas," the association's report said.
"Addressing these barriers and implementing models that prioritise continuity of care could significantly improve birth experiences and outcomes."
The inquiry is due to report back to parliament in June.
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Australian Associated Press
