Australian Aboriginal kinship: a means to enhance maternal well-being

Background: The relocation of women from their rural communities to birth in a centralised hospital is becoming increasingly common as maternity units close in rural areas of Australia. The significance for Aboriginal women when they are denied the support of kin around the time of birth but have that support re-established postnatally is explored.

Methods: This paper gathered data from multiple sources including in-depth interviews with three Aboriginal mothers and one partner; observational field notes; and during debriefing, the knowledge and experience of an Aboriginal midwife. Thematic analysis was utilised to both explore and critique the collected data.

Findings and discussion: Aboriginal women are particularly disadvantaged by maternity unit closures in rural areas of the south eastern Australian state of New South Wales (NSW). However, contrary to the expectation that this would result in postnatal mental health problems, the support the Aboriginal participants in this study received from kin may have had a mediating effect which enhanced their well-being and possibly prevented mental ill health.

Recommendations: Recommendations relate to strategies and policies that have the potential to increase community governance and feelings of cultural safety for Aboriginal childbearing women living in rural areas.

Conclusion: While the practice of forcing Aboriginal women to relocate around the time of birth has a negative impact on perinatal health outcomes, kinship support may be a mediating factor.