She was just 31, knew little about osteoporosis and had never been told pregnancy could cause the condition.
Two doctors initially attributed her discomfort to muscle pain from giving birth, but later X-rays revealed she had multiple crush fractures along her spine.
Ms Martin said an earlier diagnosis could have prevented much of the pain she lives with and would have reduced the number and severity of her fractures.
“I became really confused because in my mind it was something that older people get. People my age don't get this,” Ms Martin, now 40, said.
“Even if one person sees my story, it means they can advocate for themselves better than what I could do.”
Ms Martin has since set out on a mission to support others, creating a group for women with pregnancy-related osteoporosis, which has grown from five members to 500.
More than 4.74 million Australians aged over 50 — about two-thirds of the demographic — are living with poor bone health.
Peak advocacy body Healthy Bones Australia wants people to be more aware of risk factors and the importance of maintaining healthy bones.
Healthy Bones Australia medical director Peter Ebeling said osteoporosis was on the rise in Australia.
“Early diagnosis of osteoporosis is vital to reducing fracture rates and their subsequent impacts and costs,” Professor Ebeling said.
“These osteoporotic fractures cost the Australian healthcare system more than $3 billion each year.”
Low calcium and vitamin D intake as well as smoking and high alcohol consumption can increase the risk of osteoporosis, and poor bone health can be hereditary.
Healthy Bones Australia has set up a online self-assessment tool so people can assess their osteoporosis risk.
10°C