Category: Aboriginal Families

Talking about stillbirth is really hard because no one wants to think about it when they are pregnant. However, we know that it happens. It is better to have a yarn about it so you know what to do to minimise the chance of it happening and to know what to do if you feel like something is wrong with bub.

Although some stillbirths cannot be prevented, there are some things you can do during pregnancy to minimise the risk of something going wrong for bub.

***Key Points***

Ways to minimise or reduce the risk of stillbirth

• Quit smoking
• Lay on your side for sleep after 28 weeks of pregnancy
• Monitor your bubs movements

***Key Points***

***Quit Smoking***

We all know that smoking is no good for you and bub but did you know it can be a reason that can cause stillbirth? Every puff on a smoke can have negative effects on bub.

It can be really hard to quit, especially if others in your family and household smoke. We want you to know that support is available to help you quit. Quitting at any time during pregnancy is good for you and bub, however the earlier you can, the better. You can ask your midwife or Aboriginal Health Worker for support. You can also call the Aboriginal Quitline and ask to speak to an Aboriginal Quitline Counsellor. You are not alone on this journey of quitting smoking and many mothers do it during their pregnancy.

***Quit Smoking***

***Sleep on your side***

Lay on your side to sleep after 28 weeks of pregnancy

Laying on your side after 28 weeks of pregnancy to sleep can reduce the chance of bub being stillborn by half!  When you are laying down on your back, it presses on major blood vessels. This means it can reduce blood flow to your uterus and the oxygen supply to bub might slow down or not be enough.

If you wake up in the night and you find you are on your back, don’t worry. People always toss and turn and change positions when they are sleeping. Just roll back onto your side, it doesn’t matter if it is your left or ride side and go back to sleep.

***Sleep on your side***

***Movements matter***

Pay attention of bubs movements

As bub grows, you will start to notice their patterns. You will start to feel bubs movements from around 15-24 weeks. You will notice times of day and night where they are most active and when they have quieter times. You might think of your bub as a footballer, a ballerina or a runner! Each bub has their own patterns. You know better than anyone else what is normal movement for your baby.

If you start to feel bubs movements are slowing or feels unusual compared to normal, you should seek help from your health care team as soon as you can. Do not waste time and please know that you will not be wasting anyone’s time by doing this. You are doing the best by your bub by seeking help when you are worried about your bub.

***Movements matter***

***Key Points***

Staying strong and healthy in pregnancy means:

– your bub is more likely to be strong and healthy too.

– looking after all aspects of yourself. Physical, emotional and cultural.

– you are giving bub the best start to life.

***Key Points***

 

***Stay strong and health in body***

When you are pregnant, you will notice obvious changes in your body. You will notice your belly growing and feel bub moving around. You might feel body aches or get food cravings. Your health care team will check on you and bub, supporting you to be healthy.

Eating good is important. You need nutrition for you and bub. Cut down on food with too much fat, sugar and salt. Too much food like hot chips and pies or drinking softdrinks can cause trouble in your body and you might end up with gestational diabetes or other health problems.

Going for walks keeps your body strong and prepares your body to stay strong for birth.

Even if it’s hard, give up any alcohol, smokes or drugs. Bub needs a healthy environment to grow proper. There’s support from your health care team if you need.

***Stay strong and health in body***

 

***Stay strong and health in in mind***

Although it is very important to look after our physical health in pregnancy, we also have to look after our minds. Our mental health is really important.

Sometimes our lives can be a bit stressful. Sometimes we have other children to look after and carry the responsibility of caring for other family members. Whilst it is good to take care of others, sometimes it can feel a bit much, especially if there has been trouble at home.

As Aboriginal people, we know we have strong minds but we still need to care of it and be kind to ourselves. To keep your mind strong, you can have a yarn to others who make you feel safe. It can be a friend, an Aboriginal Health Worker, a culturally safe phoneline, a counsellor or doctor. Sometimes having a yarn can help get worries off your chest. If you have bigger worries, your doctor or midwife can refer you to services to support you getting your mind back on track.

Other ways of staying strong and healthy in mind are making some time to do things that make you feel good. You could make art, go for walks, listen to the radio, watch a funny movie, playing cards or being with friends. Have a think what things you like that make you happy or calm.

Taking time for you is important and looking after your mental health is good for you, your bub and your family.

***Stay strong and health in body***

***Stay strong and health in culture***

Staying connected to your Culture keeps you strong and healthy. Even if you don’t know much about your own mob, you can still connect to your culture with your heart and spirit. There are centres and places where you can learn about different mobs, what is special to them and their connections to Country.

Are there places in nature that just make you feel calm or happy? Does being near the ocean, river or lakes make you calm? Do you feel more connected on the flat plains with the big open sky? Do you know where your mob is from? Spending time on Country (whether it is your own or if you live off Country) can make us feel grounded, safe and protected. When you feel this, your bub will too.

***Stay strong and health in body***

Staying connected to your culture and remembering that culture is our protective factor will support you to stay strong physically, emotionally too.

***Key Points***

Keeping yourself strong and healthy means:

– you will feel good and be more likely to create good habits for you, your partner and bub.

– looking after all aspects of yourself. Physical, emotional and cultural.

– you are giving bub the best start to life by being a deadly role model.

***Key Points***

***Staying strong and healthy in body***

You will notice your partners body changing as she works hard to grow bub. She probably likes some different food or has strange cravings! Whilst she is busy growing bub, it’s also important to for you to look after yourself. Staying strong and healthy in body gives you energy. Choosing to play sports or stay active by walking around along the river or beach keeps your body strong.

Pay attention to what food you are eating. Cut down on food with too much fat, sugar and salt. Too much food like hot chips and pies or drinking softdrinks can cause trouble in your body down the track. You might end up with health problems like diabetes or high blood pressure.  Cook up some good healthy meals for you and your partner.

Even if it’s hard, give up any grog, smokes or drugs. Bub needs a healthy environment to grow proper. There’s support and services around to help if you need it.

***Staying strong and healthy in body***

***Staying strong and healthy in mind***

Mental health is really important.

Sometimes our lives can be stressful. Sometimes we have other kids or carry the responsibility of caring for other family members. Whilst it is good to take care of others, sometimes it can feel a bit much, especially if there has been trouble at home. Sometimes the pressure can get to us.

As Aboriginal people, we know we have strong minds but we still need to care of it and be kind to ourselves. To keep your mind strong, have a yarn to others who make you feel safe. It can be a mate, an Aboriginal Health Worker, a phoneline or SMS service especially for mob or a counsellor. Having a yarn can help get worries off your chest. If you have bigger troubles, a doctor can refer you to services to support you getting your mind healthy and right again.

Other ways of staying strong and healthy in mind are making some time to do things that make you feel good. You go for walks, listen to the radio, watch a funny movie or play cards with friends. Have a think what healthy things make you happy or calm.

Taking time for you is important and looking after your mental health is good for you, your bub and your family.

***Staying strong and healthy in mind***

***Staying strong and healthy in culture***

Staying connected to your Culture keeps you strong and healthy. Even if you don’t know much about your own mob, you can still connect to your culture with your heart and spirit.

Are there places in nature that make you feel good? Does being near the ocean, river or lakes make you calm? Do you feel more connected on the flat plains with the big open sky? Do you know where your mob is from? Spending time on Country (whether it is your own or if you live off Country) can make us feel grounded, safe and protected. When you feel this, your bub will too.

***Staying strong and healthy in culture***

Staying connected to your culture and remembering that culture is our protective factor will support you to stay strong physically, emotionally too. You are giving bub the best start to life by being a deadly role model.