Long-distance travel for birthing among Indigenous and non-Indigenous pregnant people in Canada (original) (raw)
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aboriginal policy studies, 2015
It is not only remote Aboriginal communities in Canada that have poorer maternalinfant health status than Canadian averages; residents of First Nation communities located close to large urban centres also experience this health status gap. Alexander, Alexis, Enoch, and Paul First Nations are located within an hour of healthcare services in greater Edmonton. The narratives of 75 predominantly Cree and Stoney women from these communities were gathered through seven talking circles and five semi-structured interviews. The participants described their experiences of loss and separation as pregnancy care and childbirth moved out of the community and into the hospital over the last two generations. This shift was not only a geographic relocation; it also disconnected the childbirth experience from elders, family and community, traditional teachings, and spiritual meaning. Conversely, the participants' hospital experiences were characterized by a limited sense of cultural safety. Participants highlighted the urgent need to reintegrate culturally based community support and health perspectives into the childbirth experience. The implementation of such a culturally integrated healthcare model in all Aboriginal communities-remote, rural, suburban, and urban-may be the key finally to closing the gap between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal maternal and infant health status in Canada.
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.
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...
BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth
Background The Qanuinngitsiarutiksait study aimed to develop detailed profiles of Inuit health service utilization in Manitoba, by Inuit living in Manitoba (approximately 1,500) and by Inuit from the Kivalliq region of Nunavut who travel to Manitoba to access care not available in Nunavut (approximately 16,000 per year). Methods We used health administrative data routinely collected in Manitoba for all services provided and developed an algorithm to identify Inuit in the dataset. This paper focused on health services used by Inuit from the Kivalliq for prenatal care and birthing. Results Our study found that approximately 80 percent of births to women from the Kivalliq region occur in Manitoba, primarily in Winnipeg. When perinatal care and birthing are combined, they constitute one third of all consults happening by Kivalliq residents in Manitoba. For scale, hospitalizations for childbirths to Kivalliq women about to only 5 percent of all childbirth-related hospitalizations in Mani...
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.
Aboriginal Birth Psychosocial or Physiological safety
The purpose of this paper is to raise awareness and stimulate discussion and research into maternity care options for Aboriginal women living in remote areas of Australia and Canada. These two countries have similar situations in that some communities are so remote that emergency medical care requires the use of aircraft. In addition, both countries have, since the 1970s, adopted policies for the transfer of mothers in late pregnancy to hospitals in urban centres. For many Aboriginal families this policy has been far from ideal. As a result, some Aboriginal women fail to seek early health care when pregnant. In order to counteract this, it is necessary to offer culturally sensitive maternity care that Aboriginal women will accept. The results of an evaluation of a birthing centre in the Canadian Arctic will be presented along with a range of birthing choices for remote area Aboriginal women and their families. Some of these options have already been initiated by some midwives. This ...
Bridging the Gaps: Reducing Barriers for Mi'kmaq Women and Families During Childbirth
Journal of the Association …, 2009
Many barriers exist in health care that limit and or prevent Aboriginal women from receiving culturally competent care during childbirth. Social, political, and economic factors exclude Aboriginal women, such as Mi'kmaq women from receiving the same privileges as other women in society. Safe and effective childbirth care requires caring and competent health care providers. These providers need to understand health from the clients' perspectives. Lack of knowledge and respect on clients' views of health only perpetuates misunderstanding and creates barriers to health. Afat I. Meleis (1996) maintains that providing culturally competent care should not be viewed as a luxury but rather an essential component of health care (1). This paper is based on a recent qualitative study that was conducted in a First Nations community in Nova Scotia. The purpose of the study was to provide new knowledge and gain greater understanding about Mi'kmaq women's childbirth experiences, which occur in a large tertiary care center outside their rural Nova Scotian Community. This study explored their perceptions of culturally appropriate care during childbirth. Four themes were identified that described their experiences of giving birth in a non-Aboriginal health care setting. They included unpreparedness for childbirth, professional relations as sites for invalidation, access to health care, and support during birthing. Discussion included issues around effectiveness of care, marginalization, and the meaning of childbirth. Continued collaboration and commitment from stakeholders including governments, health professionals, administrators, academics, and communities are required to address and improve health inequalities for Mi'kmaq women and families. Many barriers exist in health care that limit and or prevent Aboriginal women, such as Mi'kmaq women, from receiving culturally competent care during childbirth. Mi'kmaq women like many minority women want the best possible health care for themselves and their families, yet they face barriers such as ac