Amy Mepham
Pelvic Health Physiotherapist, Liberty Pelvic Health, Christchurch
Amy Mepham is a pelvic health physiotherapist with a strong clinical focus on pelvic pain and complex pelvic floor dysfunction. Amy works at Liberty, Pelvic Health in Christchurch where she is the clinical director. She began her career in musculoskeletal physiotherapy, developing a deep understanding of pain mechanisms, functional movement, and whole-person rehabilitation—an approach that continues to shape her pelvic health practice.
Amy’s interest in pelvic health grew through her work at the University of Otago, where she gained extensive experience supporting individuals with persistent pelvic pain, postnatal recovery challenges, and pelvic floor–related dysfunction. |
|
Amy frequently partners with pain specialists, gynaecologists, and other allied health clinicians to deliver coordinated, evidence-informed care for people with complex pelvic presentations. Her key areas of interest include pelvic pain, maternal birthing injuries, and guiding a safe and supported return to exercise after childbirth.
In both clinical and educational settings, Amy is committed to improving awareness and understanding of pelvic health, reducing stigma, and supporting individuals to regain participation in the activities that matter most to them.
In both clinical and educational settings, Amy is committed to improving awareness and understanding of pelvic health, reducing stigma, and supporting individuals to regain participation in the activities that matter most to them.
Understanding ACC Maternal Birthing Injuries
ACC coverage for maternal birthing injuries resulted from the Accident compensation Amendment bill. The legislation updated the definition of ‘accident’ to include “a force or resistance internal to the human body at any time from the onset of labour to the completion of delivery”. The Amendment bill was passed in September 2022, and ACC began covering maternal birth injuries in October 2022, improving access to care for those affected.
ACC currently recognises 11 specific maternal birth injuries associated with vaginal delivery. While birth-related injury is common, affecting approximately 85% of people during delivery, for many, it can cause ongoing symptoms. These symptoms may include bladder and bowel dysfunction, sexual difficulties, and persistent pain, all of which can significantly affect quality of life.
This presentation will outline the ACC-covered maternal birth injuries, highlighting common symptoms across bladder, bowel, sexual function, and pain. This session will position maternal birth injuries as injuries that can benefit from interdisciplinary care to better support recovery.
ACC currently recognises 11 specific maternal birth injuries associated with vaginal delivery. While birth-related injury is common, affecting approximately 85% of people during delivery, for many, it can cause ongoing symptoms. These symptoms may include bladder and bowel dysfunction, sexual difficulties, and persistent pain, all of which can significantly affect quality of life.
This presentation will outline the ACC-covered maternal birth injuries, highlighting common symptoms across bladder, bowel, sexual function, and pain. This session will position maternal birth injuries as injuries that can benefit from interdisciplinary care to better support recovery.
