Abstract
Background
Since colonisation, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples have experienced
violence, loss of land, ongoing discrimination and increased exposure to traumatic
events. These include adverse childhood experiences which can lead to complex trauma,
and are associated with increased incidence of high-risk pregnancies, birth complications
and emergence of post-traumatic symptoms during the perinatal period, potentially
impacting parenting and leading to intergenerational trauma. The perinatal period
offers unique opportunities for processing experiences of trauma and healing yet can
also be a time when parents experience complex trauma-related distress. Therefore,
it is essential that trauma-aware culturally safe perinatal care is accessible to
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander parents.
Aim
This study aimed to understand community perspectives of what ‘trauma-aware culturally
safe perinatal care’ would look like for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander parents.
Methods
Data were collected during a workshop held with predominantly Aboriginal and Torres
Strait Islander key stakeholders to co-design strategies to foster trauma-aware culturally
safe perinatal care. Data were thematically analysed.
Findings
Four overarching themes represent proposed goals for trauma-aware culturally safe
care: Authentic partnerships that are nurtured and invested in to provide the foundations of care; a skilled workforce educated in trauma awareness; empowering and compassionate care for building trust; and safe and accessible environments to facilitate parent engagement.
Conclusions
Provision of trauma-aware culturally safe care achieving these goals is likely to
enable parents experiencing complex trauma to access appropriate support and care
to foster healing in the critical perinatal period.
Keywords
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: August 04, 2022
Accepted:
July 29,
2022
Received in revised form:
July 28,
2022
Received:
May 23,
2022
Publication stage
In Press Corrected ProofIdentification
Copyright
© 2022 Australian College of Midwives. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
