Abstract
Background
Birth on Country is often assumed as relevant to Aboriginal women in rural/remote
locations and not usually associated with urban environments. In Western Australia,
one third of the Aboriginal population live in the greater metropolitan area. We wanted
to know Aboriginal women’s experiences of on Country urban births.
Methods
Indigenous qualitative data collection and analysis methods were used to learn about
Aboriginal women’s stories of contemporary and past experiences of maternity care
and cultural practices associated with Birth on Country.
Results
Aboriginal Birthing, Senior and Elder women consistently reported ongoing cultural
practices associated with childbirth including knowledge sharing across generations
and family support, observance of extended family present at the time of or shortly
after birth, and how their cultural security was improved when Aboriginal staff were
present. Also noted, were the inflexibility of health systems to meet their needs
and midwives lack of cultural awareness and understanding of the importance of Aboriginal
kinship.
Conclusion
The Birthing on Noongar Boodjar project Aboriginal women’s data represents four generations
of women’s stories, experiences and expressions of childbearing, which highlighted
that maternity care changes across time have failed to acknowledge and support Aboriginal
women’s cultural needs during childbearing. In terms of on Country urban birth, the
women collectively expressed a strong desire to maintain cultural practices associated
with childbirth, including birthing close to home (on Country); having family acknowledged
and included throughout the perinatal period; and, having access to Aboriginal midwives,
nurses, doctors, and other health care workers to support their cultural security.
Keywords
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: July 23, 2019
Accepted:
June 24,
2019
Received in revised form:
June 21,
2019
Received:
April 12,
2019
Identification
Copyright
© 2019 Published by Elsevier Ltd on behalf of Australian College of Midwives.
