16. Care provider choices for First Nations women and babies — an interview with Res McCalman

Birth Choices

In this episode we speak with Res McCalman, a Ballardong woman, midwife and researcher who is part of the team responsible for the Baggarrook Yurrongi culturally inclusive caseload midwifery pilot program, a project which implemented continuity of midwifery care for First Nations women and babies at three key maternity sites in Victoria (with plans for expanded rollout). In this episode Res speaks about the choices available for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women and those having a First Nations baby in Victoria, and the importance of offering culturally responsive, strengths based care (and how that is defined). Res speaks about the importance of listening to women’s experiences of care beyond the statistics, some of the findings from her and her team’s research, as well as what birthing on country is and how those models of care seek to recognise and reintegrate the rich history of birthing practices that existed before colonisation. This is a must-listen for anyone working in the maternity space, as well as for those seeking to understand more about care provider choices for First Nations women and babies.

Links:

• Read more about the Baggarrook Yurrongi program here, and the study via the Lancet here
• Res McCalman — Research output (where you’ll find the papers she discussed, including "Safe, Connected and Supported in a Complex System" and more)
• Pregnant in Victoria and seeking a referral to one of the caseload programs? Read more about Baggarook at The Womens’ (Parkville), Galinjera at Joan Kirner (Sunshine), and Nangnak Wan Myeek Program at Mercy (Heidelberg).
• Find out where your local Koori Maternity Service or Aboriginal Maternal Child Health Service is at this link.
• Molly Wardaguga Institute for First Nations Birth Rights (Charles Darwin University)
• Visit our birthchoices directory of care provider and service offerings for First Nations mothers and babies across Australia (and please let us know of any programs we have missed!)