Part 3. Aboriginal Cultural Beliefs – Acknowledging Cultural beliefs of Aboriginal Women and implementing appropriate care, throughout Pregnancy, Labour & Birth. By Charmaine Lett (Noongar Aboriginal, Student Midwife)
Past & Present
Since colonisation the cultural & physical differences between Aboriginal and European descendants has entailed misunderstandings and a lack of sympathy between both groups. Colonisation also contributed to the displacement & disconnection of Aboriginal people to land, creating spiritual disharmony and ill health (McMurray, Clendon 2015).
This however, has been addressed by the Australian Government to improve relationships between Indigenous Australians & non-Indigenous Australians, by introducing the ‘Closing the Gap’ health campaign in 2008. The ‘Closing the Gap’ health campaign is an initiative to encourage …show more content…
They have a great connection to land which is also known as ‘Country’. Country is believed to enhance their connection with their ancestors and their holistic approach to health and wellbeing, by harmonising inter-relationships between the environment and the physical, mental, cultural and spiritual elaborates of health.
Birthing on Country:
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women seeing birth as a normal life event: one where family, the land and culture are all significant factors.
Being removed from these during birth is seen by some women to be the cause of poorer health outcomes.
A holistic and culturally sensitive model of care was brought in, which educated midwives on the cultural requirements of Aboriginal women, and to be able to provide culturally appropriate care when looking after Aboriginal women and their relatives. This model of care enabled both the midwives and women to build a rapport and alleviate any doubtfulness, so they can work together and achieve better health outcomes (Guilliland & Pairman,
Past & Present
Since colonisation the cultural & physical differences between Aboriginal and European descendants has entailed misunderstandings and a lack of sympathy between both groups. Colonisation also contributed to the displacement & disconnection of Aboriginal people to land, creating spiritual disharmony and ill health (McMurray, Clendon 2015).
This however, has been addressed by the Australian Government to improve relationships between Indigenous Australians & non-Indigenous Australians, by introducing the ‘Closing the Gap’ health campaign in 2008. The ‘Closing the Gap’ health campaign is an initiative to encourage …show more content…
They have a great connection to land which is also known as ‘Country’. Country is believed to enhance their connection with their ancestors and their holistic approach to health and wellbeing, by harmonising inter-relationships between the environment and the physical, mental, cultural and spiritual elaborates of health.
Birthing on Country:
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women seeing birth as a normal life event: one where family, the land and culture are all significant factors.
Being removed from these during birth is seen by some women to be the cause of poorer health outcomes.
A holistic and culturally sensitive model of care was brought in, which educated midwives on the cultural requirements of Aboriginal women, and to be able to provide culturally appropriate care when looking after Aboriginal women and their relatives. This model of care enabled both the midwives and women to build a rapport and alleviate any doubtfulness, so they can work together and achieve better health outcomes (Guilliland & Pairman,