Experiences of First Nations women with Maternity care at Chilliwack General Hospital

• Main Authors: Heath, Andrea, Virk, Roohina
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: UBC Journal of Family Practice Research and Scholarship 2015
• Subjects: Qualitative Analysis; First Nations women; Maternity; Peri-partum; First Nations
• Online Access: http://ojs.library.ubc.ca/index.php/familypractice/article/view/186914

OBJECTIVE: This project examines the pregnancy experiences of First Nations women at Chilliwack General Hospital (CGH) over the past 24 months. Our primary objective was to identify common concerns within the maternity care of these women.DESIGN: Retrospective Qualitative, interview based study. SETTING: Outpatient First Nations Health Units PARTICIPANTS: First Nations women, within 24 months postpartum from CGH. METHOD: Health Units with pre-existing “Mom and Baby” clinics at three major First Nations bands were contacted and consent was granted for us to attend. A special request was made to the health unit administrators to invite women who were known to have had a still-born, an infant with significant disabilities, or a child who since died within the last 24 months to also attend the clinic. A description of the study purpose, procedures, potential risks and benefits was introduced to the women in attendance at these clinics, and consent obtained to conduct an interview. MAIN FINDINGS: Our findings were analyzed using Framework Analysis. We began by transcribing the interviews and identified codes which were further refined into themes. These themes helped identify important areas of concern including: Accessibility to prenatal care, Communication with care providers, Traditional and cultural beliefs, and Facility issues.