Winanga-Li (I Hear You): Privileging Voices and Experiences of Aboriginal Parents’ Journey with Their Gaaynggal (Baby) Through a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit

TL;DR

This study explores the experiences of Aboriginal parents in neonatal intensive care units to improve culturally safe care for their babies and families.

Contribution

The study introduces a new understanding of cultural safety challenges in NICUs through the voices of Aboriginal parents.

Findings

Aboriginal parents face trauma and triggers in NICUs due to lack of cultural care practices.

Covert racism and poor communication by health providers hinder cultural safety.

Recommendations include training, family support, inclusive spaces, and more Aboriginal staff.

Abstract

Aboriginal parents experience neonatal intensive care settings at a higher rate than non-Indigenous parents. We sought to explore Aboriginal parents’ experiences of having a gaaynggal (baby) admitted to a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) in order to improve culturally safe neonatal care environments. The yarning method was used to collect the qualitative data of 15 Aboriginal parents’ stories. Thematic analysis and collaborative yarning were used to determine themes. The themes emerging from the stories included Trauma and its triggers in the NICU; Aboriginal cultural caring practices are not upheld in the NICU; Covert racism and biases impact culturally safe experiences; Health provider communication can obstruct parents’ experience of cultural safety; and Recommendations to uphold culturally safe care in NICU. Culturally safe care practices have been identified as needed, to improve cultural safety in neonatal settings. Through further education and training, the facilitation of Aboriginal family connections and support groups, culturally inclusive spaces for parents and their kinship systems, and increasing Aboriginal staff representations across all levels of health professional experience, cultural safety for Aboriginal parents and gaaynggal can be increased.