Restoring the Blessings of the Morning Star: Childbirth and Maternal-Infant Health for First Nations near Edmonton, Alberta (original) (raw)

Moving Toward Indigenous-Centred Perinatal Care in Urban Quebec

International Journal of Indigenous Health, 2020

This article explores Abinodjic, an initiative of the Native Friendship Centre in Val-d’Or, Quebec, Canada, which aims to move toward Indigenous-centred perinatal care for Indigenous mothers and families. Drawing on the findings of a three-year collaborative developmental evaluation, this article describes the emergence and relevance of a model of perinatal care in which Mino Pimatisi8in (a wholistic view of well-being) is the overarching goal, and where parental experiences, healthy lifestyles, support networks, and cultural knowledges are four interdependent areas of intervention that support children’s well-being, in the context of culturally safe services and approaches. We discuss three key elements significant to the initiative: (a) valuing Indigenous ways of being, (b) centring relationships and supporting the social networks, and (c) being advocates, both directly for community members as well as for Indigenous Peoples generally within the health and social services system. ...

Maternal health in Canadian Aboriginal communities: challenges and opportunities

Journal of obstetrics and gynaecology Canada : JOGC = Journal d'obstétrique et gynécologie du Canada : JOGC, 2009

In response to the direct and indirect consequences of removing birthing practices from communities, Canada is exploring new initiatives to return childbirth to Aboriginal communities. Lessons learned and insights into this major problem can be used internationally to plan efforts to reduce maternal mortality in low-resource countries around the world.

Exploring the complex context of Canadian Indigenous maternal child-health through maternity experiences: the role of social determinants of health

2018

BACKGROUND: The marginalization of Indigenous women in Canada has resulted in adverse pregnancy and infant health outcomes. While the epidemiological research focuses on statistical evidence, it fails to address the context and underlying causes, including social determinants of health. Despite clear evidence on how social determinants influence health, there is limited research on Indigenous women’s perspectives and experiences. Indigenous women’s narratives during pregnancy, birth and the early months of parenthood are critical to understand the underlying causes and proposed solutions. This research demonstrates how Indigenous women’s maternity experiences are embedded within their historical, social and cultural experiences, thus explaining the importance of addressing contexts related to social determinants of health. METHODS: Through an Indigenous and decolonized lens, maternity narratives from ten in-depth interviews were conducted with Indigenous birth mothers in British Co...

Exploring the complex context of Indigenous women's maternity experiences in the Okanagan valley, British Columbia by expanding on Aboriginal women's responses to the Canadian maternity experiences survey

2017

Indigenous women's experiences during pregnancy, birth and the early months of parenthood are important to understand their strengths, gaps, needs, priorities and barriers in order to address maternal and child health disparities. Despite clear evidence on how social determinants of health influence health, there is limited research that includes the perspectives and experiences of Indigenous women. The purpose of my research was to explore Indigenous women's maternity experiences. An interdisciplinary theoretical perspective that includes decolonized and Indigenous methodology, social determinants of health theory, critical medical anthropology, and feminist scholarship informs my research. I conducted an analysis of Indigenous women's (N=410) responses to the Canadian Maternity Experiences Survey (PHAC 2009), followed by ethnographic research with ten Indigenous mothers in the Okanagan Valley, BC. Individual in-depth interviews and participant-observations were analyze...

The geography of belonging: The experience of birthing at home for First Nations women

Health & Place, 2010

The number of rural hospitals offering maternity care in British Columbia has significantly declined since 2000, mirroring trends of closures and service reductions across Canada. The impact on Aboriginal women is significant, contributing to negative maternal and newborn health and social outcomes. The present qualitative case study explored the importance of local birth for Aboriginal women from a remote BC community after the closure of local maternity services. Data collection consisted of 12 interviews and 55 completed surveys. The average participant age was 32 years old at the time of the study. From the perspective of losing local services, participants expressed the importance of local birth in reinforcing the attributes that contributed to their identities, including the importance of community and kinship ties and the strength of ties to their traditional territory.

Indigenous Medicine Empowering Women: Aboriginal Midwifery Centres in Ontario, Canada: A Report Prepared for the Saratoga Foundation for Women Worldwide, Incorporated

In this paper the author focuses on the need for further supports, and training, for Aboriginal midwives in Ontario. The alarming health disparities between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people, including devastating stillbirth and infant loss rates, mean that more attention needs to be paid to Aboriginal women's experiences of, and health during, pregnancy and childbirth. The author advocates for the return of birth to communities, which means more funding for Aboriginal midwifery birthing centres and training programmes. Where hospital birth is necessary because of high-risk and low service provisions, hospitals are advised to incorporate culturally appropriate services (such as Elders and Midwives), and the government is urged to increase funding for families to visit or call so women are not alone when they give birth.

Kikiskawâwasow - prenatal healthcare provider perceptions of effective care for First Nations women: an ethnographic community-based participatory research study

BMC pregnancy and childbirth, 2016

Pregnant Indigenous women suffer a disproportionate burden of risk and adverse outcomes relative to non-Indigenous women. Although there has been a call for improved prenatal care, examples are scarce. Therefore, we explored the characteristics of effective care with First Nations women from the perspective of prenatal healthcare providers (HCPs). We conducted an ethnographic community-based participatory research study in collaboration with a large Cree First Nations community in Alberta, Canada. We carried out semi-structured interviews with 12 prenatal healthcare providers (HCPs) that were recorded, transcribed, and subjected to qualitative content analysis. According to the participants, relationships and trust, cultural understanding, and context-specific care were key features of effective prenatal care and challenge the typical healthcare model. HCPs that are able to foster sincere, non-judgmental, and enjoyable interactions with patients may be more effective in treating pre...

Indigenous mothers’ experiences of using primary care in Hamilton, Ontario, for their infants

International Journal of Qualitative Studies on Health and Well-being

Purpose: Access to primary care can help mitigate the negative impacts of social inequity that disproportionately affect Indigenous people in Canada. Despite this, however, Indigenous people cite difficulties accessing care. This study seeks to understand how Indigenous mothers-typically responsible for the health of their infants-living in urban areas, experience selecting and using health services to meet the health needs of their infants. Results provide strategies to improve access to care, which may lead to improved health outcomes for Indigenous infants and their families. Methods: This qualitative interpretive description study is guided by the Two-Eyed Seeing framework. Interviews were conducted with 19 Indigenous mothers and 5 primary care providers. Results: The experiences of Indigenous mothers using primary care for their infants resulted in eight themes. Themes were organized according to three domains of primary care: structural, organizational and personnel. Conclusions: Primary care providers can develop contextual-awareness to better recognize and respond to the health and well-being of Indigenous families. Applying culturally safe, trauma and violence-informed and family-centred approaches to care can promote equitable access and positive health care interactions which may lead to improved health outcomes for Indigenous infants and their families.

Envisioning a culturally safe midwifery model from the perspective of Indigenous families: A case study of midwifery care in inner city Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada

Research Square (Research Square), 2022

Background Our research paper explores the concept of cultural safety and it's practical implications in a midwifery-led prenatal care model designed to improve access to prenatal care for Indigenous people in inner-city Winnipeg. While previous studies suggest midwifery care as a facilitator to access to prenatal care for Indigenous families, there have been no studies performed to date specifically about the role of culturally safe midwifery care in inner-city Winnipeg. Methods We we focused on using Indigenous research methodologies to ground the research in an Indigenous world view. We used Two-Eyed Seeing as a reflective engagement tool with Indigenous midwifery clients to understand how midwives and other care providers can shape the quality of prenatal care services to meet the needs of local Indigenous families more effectively, and in a culturally safe manner. Results The results show that the Mount Carmel Clinic (MCC) midwifery model is on a continuum of culturally safety, which contributes to feelings of trust and comfort, and encourages families to attend for prenatal care. The model of care could facilitate a deeper level cultural safety by expanding the care team to include Indigenous members and access to traditional knowledge about pregnancy, birth and parenting.

Reclaiming Birth, Health, and Community: Midwifery in the Inuit Villages of Nunavik, Canada

Journal of Midwifery Women S Health, 2007

This article describes the Inuulitsivik midwifery service and education program, an internationally recognized approach to returning childbirth to the remote Hudson coast communities of Nunavik, the Inuit region of Quebec, Canada. The service is seen as a model of community-based education of Aboriginal midwives, integrating both traditional and modern approaches to care and education. Developed in response to criticisms of the policy of evacuating women from the region in order to give birth in hospitals in southern Canada, the midwifery service is integrally linked to community development, cultural revival, and healing from the impacts of colonization. The midwifery-led collaborative model of care involves effective teamwork between midwives, physicians, and nurses working in the remote villages and at the regional and tertiary referral centers. Evaluative research has shown improved outcomes for this approach to returning birth to remote communities, and this article reports on recent data. Despite regional recognition and wide acknowledgement of their success in developing and sustaining a model for remote maternity care and aboriginal education for the past 20 years, the Nunavik midwives have not achieved formal recognition of their graduates under the Quebec Midwifery Act.