Paperbark and pinard: A historical account of maternity care in one remote Australian Aboriginal town |
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| Institution: | 1. Menzies School of Health Research, Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia;2. Australian Centre for Indigenous History, School of History, Research School of Social Sciences, Australian National University, Australian Capital Territory, Canberra, Australia;3. National Drug Research Institute, Curtin University, GPO Box U1987, Perth, WA 6000, Australia;1. Menzies Health Institute Queensland, Griffith University, University Drive, Meadowbrook, QLD 4131, Australia;2. Gold Coast University Hospital, Parklands Drive, Southport, QLD 4215, Australia;1. School of Nursing & Midwifery, Faculty of Medicine, Nursing & Health Sciences, Monash University, Australia;2. Murdoch Childrens Research Institute, Parkville, VIC, Australia;3. General Practice & Primary Health Care Academic Research Institute and School of Population Health, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia;1. Intergenerational Health, Murdoch Children’s Research Institute, Parkville, Victoria, Australia;2. Department of Paediatrics and Department of General Practice, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia;3. South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia;4. Women’s and Children’s Health Network, SA Health, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia;5. Southern Health Network, SA Health, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia;6. Aboriginal Health Council of South Australia Ltd., Adelaide, South Australia, Australia;1. Queensland Centre for Mothers & Babies, School of Psychology, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia;2. National Perinatal and Epidemiological Unit, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom;1. School of Nursing and Midwifery, University of South Australia, GPO Box 2471, Adelaide, South Australia 5001, Australia;2. WCHRI, The University of Adelaide, WCH, 72 King William Rd, North Adelaide, South Australia 5006, Australia;1. Mater Research Institute, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia;2. School of Nursing and Midwifery, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia;3. Mater Health Services, Brisbane, Australia |
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| Abstract: | Background and aimMaternity care in remote areas of the Australian Northern Territory is restricted to antenatal and postnatal care only, with women routinely evacuated to give birth in hospital. Using one remote Aboriginal community as a case study, our aim with this research was to document and explore the major changes to the provision of remote maternity care over the period spanning pre-European colonisation to 1996.MethodsOur research methods included historical ethnographic fieldwork (2007–2013); interviews with Aboriginal women, Aboriginal health workers, religious and non-religious non-Aboriginal health workers and past residents; and archival review of historical documents.FindingsWe identified four distinct eras of maternity care. Maternity care staffed by nuns who were trained in nursing and midwifery serviced childbirth in the local community. Support for community childbirth was incrementally withdrawn over a period, until the government eventually assumed responsibility for all health care.ConclusionsThe introduction of Western maternity care colonised Aboriginal birth practices and midwifery practice. Historical population statistics suggest that access to local Western maternity care may have contributed to a significant population increase. Despite population growth and higher demand for maternity services, local maternity services declined significantly. The rationale for removing childbirth services from the community was never explicitly addressed in any known written policy directive. Declining maternity services led to the de-skilling of many Aboriginal health workers and the significant community loss of future career pathways for Aboriginal midwives. This has contributed to the current status quo, with very few female Aboriginal health workers actively providing remote maternity care. |
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| Keywords: | Midwifery History Remote Aboriginal women Australia |
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