Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Women's Experiences of Stillbirth in North Queensland.

Abstract

The stillbirth rate of Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander infants remains almost twice the rate for non-Indigenous infants. There is a paucity of research giving voice to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women and families experiences pregnancy loss and stillbirth. This qualitative study aimed explored the experiences of five Australian Aboriginal women in North Queensland. Women identified the need for timely, clear, concise, and sensitive communications with culturally responsive health professionals throughout their experience of stillbirth. Women also want to be consulted and supported during and beyond their experience of stillbirth. Australian Aboriginal women want to be informed and included in their care by culturally responsive health professionals during and beyond their stillbirth experiences. These findings will inform maternity and neonatal standard care guidelines, and health professionals' training and education programs to support culturally responsive plans for continuity of care of regional, rural and remote Indigenous women and families.