Disa Walker gave birth to Ari, her second child, in January last year.
Speaking out about her experience has shown the complaints process can work, she said.
''The lady in charge of midwifery quality is going to email me every three months to tell me about all the positive changes that have happened as an outcome from Ari's birth story and how things have changed because of that,'' Mrs Walker said.
''I'm not saying it was worth it, but I feel we have contributed something positive - I didn't want Ari's birth to be a horrible story within our family.''
Mrs Walker had an emergency episiotomy when giving birth to Ari.
However, as well as being physically injured she also suffered post traumatic stress disorder, in part brought on by an obstetrician who bullied and yelled at her, Mrs Walker said.
''Everything that comes out of their mouth has to be well thought-out, because people carry that.
Even if it's another day at work for them, everyone is going to remember the day their child was born.''
After getting over the initial shock, Mrs Walker complained to the SDHB.
''I thought if I could just put my experiences in a letter and let them know from my perspective that they didn't do their job well, then I would be free of it and I would be fine.''
After getting what Mrs Walker felt was an unacceptable response from the SDHB, she was left retraumatised.
''I felt I had not been believed, that I was revictimised, and blamed again for not doing the right thing. I read it and could not believe they had even sent this to me.''
Mrs Walker would not give up and complained again.
''If I could have found a way to let it go I would have, but I thought 'This is so not over'.''
This time she got results.
''New people had come in and they looked at the old complaint again and the response and I think they realised it had not been managed well.''
''They sent a really heartfelt email about what had happened, asked to meet with me, and made me feel that they genuinely wanted what I wanted - that what happened to me didn't happen again.''
Ari's birth story is now being used as part of SDHB's professional development training, and all staff are being advised about how to deal with issues arising from post traumatic stress disorder.
''They have also promised me that a complaint of this nature will never be handled that way again.
''I wasn't complaining about my medical care, I was complaining about abuse.''
Mrs Walker is not alone.
A woman the Otago Daily Times is calling Ms A is about to complain about her treatment while giving birth.
She also was yelled at while delivering her baby, and believes the third degree vaginal tear she suffered while giving birth was due to being bullied to push when she did not need to.
SDHB chief nursing officer Jane Wilson said she was grateful to Mrs Walker for speaking up, and appreciated how difficult it must have been.
''We have recently implemented a new online maternity experience survey for women to provide feedback on their care before they leave Queen Mary Maternity Centre, and have also increased information to women about what they can do if they have further concerns about their care.''
