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He Tamariki Kokoti Tau: Families of Indigenous Infants Talk about Their Experiences of Preterm Birth and Neonatal Intensive Care

Author

Listed:
  • Anna Adcock

    ((Ngāti Mutunga) Te Tātai Hauora o Hine Centre for Women’s Health Research, Te Herenga Waka Victoria University of Wellington, Wellington 6140, New Zealand)

  • Fiona Cram

    ((Ngāti Pāhauwera) Katoa Ltd., Auckland 1143, New Zealand)

  • Liza Edmonds

    ((Ngāpuhi, Ngāti Whātua) Dunedin Hospital, Southern District Health Board, Dunedin 9016, New Zealand
    Department of Women’s and Children’s Health, University of Otago, Dunedin 9016, New Zealand)

  • Beverley Lawton

    ((Te Aitanga-a-Hauiti) Te Tātai Hauora o Hine Centre for Women’s Health Research, Te Herenga Waka Victoria University of Wellington, Wellington 6012, New Zealand)

Abstract

Māori (Indigenous peoples of Aotearoa New Zealand) bear an unequal burden of poor perinatal health outcomes, including preterm birth. An infant arriving preterm disrupts the birth imaginary of whānau (family collectives) and situates them in a foreign health environment that may not be culturally safe and nurturing. A cross-sectional interpretative phenomenological analysis of first interviews with 19 whānau participating in a Kaupapa Māori (by, with, for Māori) qualitative longitudinal study of preterm birth identified themes from their experiences and the meanings they attributed to them. Preterm birth was an emotional roller coaster, with the birth imaginary and anticipated roles disrupted as health practitioners took over the care of their infants. Whānau expressed the desire to be close to their infants, holding them, loving them, nurturing them, and emplacing them within whakapapa (genealogy, continual layering of foundations) networks. When health practitioners or hospital policies inhibited this intimacy by isolating, excluding, or discriminating, whānau were frustrated. Being familiar with hospital routines, staff, peers, infant cares, and being wrapped in wider whānau support were key for whānau coping. Whakawhanaungatanga (processes of establishing relationships) create safe spaces for whānau to be themselves. This quietens the ‘storm’ and returns whānau to a sense of calm, through the reclamation of their environment.

Suggested Citation

  • Anna Adcock & Fiona Cram & Liza Edmonds & Beverley Lawton, 2021. "He Tamariki Kokoti Tau: Families of Indigenous Infants Talk about Their Experiences of Preterm Birth and Neonatal Intensive Care," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(18), pages 1-20, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:18:p:9835-:d:638312
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Karen McBride-Henry & Charissa Miller & Adrian Trenholm & Tara N Officer, 2020. "Occupying ‘in-hospitable’ spaces: Parental/primary-caregiver perceptions of the impact of repeated hospitalisation in children under two years of age," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 15(1), pages 1-18, January.
    2. Bridgette Masters-Awatere & Donna Cormack & Rebekah Graham & Rachel Brown, 2020. "Observations by and Conversations with Health Workers and Hospital Personnel Involved in Transferring Māori Patients and Whānau to Waikato Hospital in Aotearoa New Zealand," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(23), pages 1-13, November.
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    Cited by:

    1. Kalinda Griffiths & Abbey Diaz & Lisa J. Whop & Joan Cunningham, 2021. "The Health and Wellbeing of Indigenous and Tribal Peoples around the Globe: Ensuring and Promoting Best Practice in Research," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(1), pages 1-9, December.
    2. Kate Anderson & Elaina Elder-Robinson & Alana Gall & Khwanruethai Ngampromwongse & Michele Connolly & Angeline Letendre & Esther Willing & Zaine Akuhata-Huntington & Kirsten Howard & Michelle Dickson , 2022. "Aspects of Wellbeing for Indigenous Youth in CANZUS Countries: A Systematic Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(20), pages 1-44, October.

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