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. 2024 Oct;29(12):1307-1320.
doi: 10.1177/13591053231218667. Epub 2024 Jan 2.

Birth by emergency caesarean delivery: Perspectives of Wāhine Māori in Aotearoa New Zealand

Felicia Airini Lawrie  1 , Yvonne Awhina Mitchell  1 , Ashleigh Barrett-Young  1 , Amanda Ellen Clifford  1
Affiliations

Birth by emergency caesarean delivery: Perspectives of Wāhine Māori in Aotearoa New Zealand

Felicia Airini Lawrie et al. J Health Psychol. 2024 Oct.

Abstract

In Aotearoa New Zealand, wāhine Māori (Māori women) are overrepresented in several negative post-natal outcomes, including negative outcomes related to caesarean deliveries. We aimed to understand the experiences of wāhine Māori who had experienced a caesarean delivery and to identify how healthcare systems can better meet the needs of wāhine Māori during pre- and post-natal care. Using kaupapa Māori principles, thematic analysis of one-on-one interviews identified eight themes covering a range of issues related to overall wellbeing. Bodily autonomy and choice were discussed by all participants, as was the need for mental wellbeing to be a larger focus of perinatal care. Participants also shared positive encounters with midwives and nurses, as well as a desire to incorporate religious and cultural practices within perinatal care. The caesarean delivery birthing stories of wāhine Māori highlighted the importance of Māori health models in understanding and providing culturally-affirming healthcare to wāhine Māori across Aotearoa.

Keywords: Māori women; caesarean delivery; culturally-affirming healthcare; indigenous health; post-natal outcomes; women’s health.

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Conflict of interest statement

Declaration of conflicting interestsThe authors declared no potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article.

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