Lived experience of Cape York Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women, families and health workers in regard to stillbirth

Stillbirth happens more often among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women compared with non-Indigenous women in Australia. Much of the research contributing to understanding of social and emotional needs after stillbirth reflects the views of mainstream communities and is missing the voices of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women. A greater understanding of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women’s experiences of stillbirth is necessary to guide measures for culturally appropriate after-care. With this project we aimed to document the stories of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women and families affected by stillbirth in Cape York and Cairns. Twenty-eight health professionals with diverse roles, including 8 midwives and 9 Aboriginal Health Workers, were interviewed in the workplace. Five other community members were interviewed in their homes. The participants ranged in age from 20 to 80 years. 

Some highlights and reflections from the project include:

• Grief and loss are a journey with stages. A health professional helps to support the woman and family through the stages of healing to wellness. Starting out well and with adequate support helps the journey move forward. It is a very personal journey – the woman and family, their way of doing things, must be respected, and supported. They must be enabled to ask for what they want and need.
• Women during the pregnancy and birthing process may be frightened, uncomfortable in hospital and not have their holistic needs met because of the separation from culture. They are “medicalised”.
• Non-indigenous staff must be a buffer, supporting Indigenous staff to work in their own way to support families affected by stillbirth.

The project provided the following recommendations:

• Invite community and organisational feedback about the report’s findings
• Potentially utilise the report findings to inform discussions about service development
• Consider including an approach to stillbirth support of community and workers in community health worker’s professional ongoing education and networking
• Build on relationships developed and knowledge gained by offering implementation of the Safe Baby Bundle for prevention of stillbirth
• Consider translation of findings at the local level for communities to consider multidisciplinary strategy – families, women’s/men’s groups, health services, health professionals including Aboriginal health workers.

Research Team: Diana Jans, Deanna Stuart-Butler, Yvonne Cadet-James, Johanna Neville, Skye Stewart, Aleena Wojcieszek, Valerie Ah Chee, Vicki Flenady, Frances Boyle, Susan Vlack.