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CONFERENCE PROCEEDING
Replanting the birthing trees: Culturally-responsive, trauma-informed continuity of maternity care for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women – A mixed methods implementation study
1
University of Melbourne, Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, Melbourne, Australia
2
Murdoch University, Ngangk Yira Institute for Change, Perth, Australia
Eur J Midwifery 2026;10(Supplement 1):A472
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women have given birth in Australia for over 60,000 years. Colonisation, violence and oppression has left a legacy of cultural and family disruption, and intergenerational trauma. Pregnancy and birth provide a unique lifecourse opportunity to support families and break cycles of intergenerational trauma, however maternity care in Australia is too often experienced as unsafe and traumatic for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women, resulting in poor health outcomes. Community-led, culturally-responsive, trauma-informed continuity-of-care is urgently needed.
OBJECTIVES:
To implement and evaluate a program to improve culturally-responsive, trauma-informed, continuity of midwifery care in selected health services in Australia.
METHODS:
A mixed method implementation study, involving parent and service provider interviews, workshops, journalling and pre and post training surveys.
RESULTS:
Pre-implementation interviews with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander parents and service providers demonstrated a need for an organisation wide approach to improving culturally safe trauma-informed care, with continuity of care central to experiences of safety. Fear of child protection services and serious concerns about CPS practices and policies were major issues raised, and resources were developed to support parents to navigate the CPS. Online and face to face training with over 300 staff across two hospitals demonstrated significant improvements in knowledge, attitudes and practice, and sensitized the ‘organisational readiness of key staff. Workshops resulted in extensive and innovative action plans that have led to substantial care improvements, but there were many barriers and enablers identified. Relationships were critical to success.
CONCLUSIONS:
Organisational change to improve maternity care for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women is challenging, but achievable.
KEY MESSAGE:
Community and organisational leadership, strong partnerships, and implementation processes can drive improvements in maternity care for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women. Poster session 1 (Group A)
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women have given birth in Australia for over 60,000 years. Colonisation, violence and oppression has left a legacy of cultural and family disruption, and intergenerational trauma. Pregnancy and birth provide a unique lifecourse opportunity to support families and break cycles of intergenerational trauma, however maternity care in Australia is too often experienced as unsafe and traumatic for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women, resulting in poor health outcomes. Community-led, culturally-responsive, trauma-informed continuity-of-care is urgently needed.
OBJECTIVES:
To implement and evaluate a program to improve culturally-responsive, trauma-informed, continuity of midwifery care in selected health services in Australia.
METHODS:
A mixed method implementation study, involving parent and service provider interviews, workshops, journalling and pre and post training surveys.
RESULTS:
Pre-implementation interviews with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander parents and service providers demonstrated a need for an organisation wide approach to improving culturally safe trauma-informed care, with continuity of care central to experiences of safety. Fear of child protection services and serious concerns about CPS practices and policies were major issues raised, and resources were developed to support parents to navigate the CPS. Online and face to face training with over 300 staff across two hospitals demonstrated significant improvements in knowledge, attitudes and practice, and sensitized the ‘organisational readiness of key staff. Workshops resulted in extensive and innovative action plans that have led to substantial care improvements, but there were many barriers and enablers identified. Relationships were critical to success.
CONCLUSIONS:
Organisational change to improve maternity care for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women is challenging, but achievable.
KEY MESSAGE:
Community and organisational leadership, strong partnerships, and implementation processes can drive improvements in maternity care for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women. Poster session 1 (Group A)
| eISSN: | 2585-2906 |
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