We have developed a model of care “Powerful Nunga mums, strong healthy Bibi and families” in South Australia where Aboriginal women will feel heard, respected, supported and fully engaged in their journey of pregnancy and beyond, and that ultimately ensures optimal health outcomes during and after pregnancy.
One in five Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women experience heart and diabetes (cardiometabolic) complications during pregnancy. These cardiometabolic complications increase the risk of adverse pregnancy and perinatal outcomes at birth and development of diabetes and heart disease for both mum and baby later in life.
In South Australia, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women often experience sub-optimal care during and following pregnancy, particularly when higher levels of care are required because of cardiometabolic complications. Women experience lack of evidence-based care, coordination, support and knowledge in a safe environment, and health providers feel ill-prepared to provide information and support. When care is sub-optimal during pregnancy, the risk of adverse events and life-long chronic disease increases.
This evidence-informed, co-designed care model is the first that identifies specific issues, recommends targeted actions for health providers and services, and details the necessary system enablers to provide evidence-based, culturally-responsive and effective maternal healthcare. It represents a comprehensive approach to support South Australian Aboriginal women experiencing cardiometabolic conditions during pregnancy for long-term health for mums, babies and families.
The model of care details 18 priority areas that span the maternal health journey from pre-pregnancy to ongoing care after birth, and that apply across the continuum. Priorities include a suite of activities to boost current service delivery to meet evidence-based, best-practice care standards, and new services/programs that:
- deliver early diabetes screening to be able to support women throughout pregnancy
- build on e-health opportunities for women and health professionals
- draw strength from the peer support of fellow women, and
- embrace mum and baby centric primary health care management to promote cardiometabolic health.
Investigators and Project team
- Katharine Brown
- Karen Glover
- Kim Morey
- Cathy Leane
- Odette Pearson
- Renae Holmberg
- Louise Maple-Brown
- Elizabeth Barr
- Diana MacKay
- Dominica Zentner
- Dana Shen
- Karrina DeMasi
- Phoebe McColl
- Carolyn Renehan
- Michele Robinson
- Stella Artuso