Make sure pregnancy, birth and postnatal care is culturally sensitive We need to acknowledge and accommodate that each of us come from diverse backgrounds and bring with us our own beliefs and cultural preconceptions. Because of this, genuinely connecting with a mother from a different background can be difficult; at best, she may feel there
Respectful Maternity Care for Healthier Mums and Babies How a women perceives the quality of her maternity care impacts on her transition to motherhood, with consequences for her health and her baby’s health. Any mother who births should emerge feeling confident and capable of caring for herself and her baby, regardless of the pathway her
We should take the opportunity to ensure safe and respectful maternity care for all women. As a society we require rigorous data, to evaluate outcomes and identify poor quality maternity care. Data holds key: It demonstrates the size and nature of problems, and brings clarity around who is falling through the cracks. An improved national
Compassion and why it is relevant in maternity care We know that compassion and support generally feature high on pregnant women’s wish lists. We also know that some pregnant women fear the pan of childbirth. But do maternity care providers feel that managing pain is more useful than compassion? There’s plenty of science now that
How to Assess Compassion? "Compassion, can affect not only the outcomes for our patients, but also the financial health of our organizations and the well-being of our providers." — Donald Berwick, MD President emeritus, Institute for Healthcare Improvement Do you feel respected and in partnership with your maternity care professional? This simple 5-item tool measures
The Essence of Dignity and Respect Excellent maternity care has a unique ability to dignify. It can make women feel valued, respected, honoured and seen. Dignified care and environments are those in which both the woman’s values and vulnerability are acknowledged and accommodated simultaneously, where she is recognised, understood, treated with safety, fairness and accountability.
Dignity The right of every human being to live a dignified life, a life worthy of honour and respect. This includes pregnant women and dignity as the guiding factor for every action Dignity is evidenced by the values of respect, kindness, understanding, tolerance, and compassion. The right to dignity incudes access to health care, education,
The Maternal Metamorphosis: Becoming a mother in Australia (1945-2020) The 2021 Trevor Reese Memorial Lecture delivered by historian Dr Carla Pascoe Leahy from the University of Melbourne examines the changing cultural attitudes towards motherhood, changing theories of maternal subjectivity, and how mothers’ own experiences are remembered in oral history interviews. The lecture asks what happens
Woman-centred Maternity Care Woman-centred maternity care supports women to develop the knowledge, skills and confidence they need to effectively manage and make informed decisions about their own health and maternity care. These skills will be valuable as she becomes a mother, enhancing her ability to make informed decisions regarding the health care of her child.
Compassion is a fundamental aspect of maternity care, not an add-on We know that compassionate support generally features high on pregnant women’s wish list for maternity care. We also know that some pregnant women fear the pain of childbirth. But do maternity care providers feel that managing pain is more useful than compassion? There’s plenty
