Birthing on Country means
- Giving the best start to life for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families.
- Having holistic care with culture at the centre of it for mum, bub and family during pregnancy, birth and postnatal.
- Keeping culture as our protective factor of safety and wellness
***Key Points***
Birthing on country
- Gives mother and baby’s the best start in life
- The best support and transition to parenthood during the early postnatal period
- Enables culture as a protective factor
***Key Points***
***The best start in life***
Birthing on Country is a metaphor for the best start of life for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families. It doesn’t mean to go have bub under a tree, which is what a lot of people think when they first hear that term. It means that the experience of bringing bub into the world is done with care, consideration and connection to the Country, honouring culture and acknowledging that the birth of an Aboriginal baby is done on the sovereign lands of our people. Birthing on Country is culturally safe and strong, gives families a sense of belonging and allows you to have access to quality, safe and expert health care
***The best start in life***
***Holistic care for body, heart and spirit***
As Aboriginal people, we understand you need a healthy mind, body and spirit for ourselves and for our families. Sometimes if we are sick in our body, we know it makes other parts of us sick too. Having care when you are pregnant that includes checking up on our physical, social, emotional and cultural health and wellbeing supports us to be strong and healthy. There can be multiple people in your care team to look after you – midwives, Aboriginal Health Workers, doctors, social workers and housing workers, just to name a few. Birthing On Country models of care are holistic and are in the spirit of self-determination, making sure that not only are all aspects of you and your family are well, but are safe and thriving.
***Holistic care for body, heart and spirit***
***Culture is our protective factor***
Birthing On Country is a model of care that has culture at the centre of it, making sure that you, bub and family are respected and your cultural practices are honoured. This care gives space to include traditional practices and connections with the land and Country. Culture is our protective factor for safety and wellness – it keeps you strong, grounded and safe. The people who look after you in Birthing on Country models of care are culturally safe and understand that Aboriginal ways of being, doing and knowing are essential in your care.
***Culture is our protective factor***
Staying connected to your culture and remembering that culture is our protective factor will support you to stay strong physically, emotionally and spiritually. It gives a solid foundation for bub when they arrive too.
***Resources***
The Birthing on Country project aims to increase the number of Indigenous midwives, expand culturally competent maternity care and establish primary maternity health care units to improve health outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women and their babies.
Implementing Birthing on Country services for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women
SBS – what is birthing on Country and why is it crucial for Aboriginal women?
Article – the Indigenous birthing in an urban setting study
Article ABC – birthing on Country program empowering Aboriginal women
***Resources***
