An Aboriginal-led digital platform designed to improve maternity care for First Nations women and families has been released following a decade of research and collaboration with Elders, communities and healthcare professionals.
Baby Coming You Ready (BCYR), developed by Murdoch University's Ngangk Yira Institute for Change and launched in October at Fiona Stanley Hospital, aims to strengthen trust between Aboriginal mothers and healthcare providers by creating opportunities for open conversations about pregnancy, birth and early parenthood.
Led by Aboriginal health researcher and midwife Professor Rhonda Marriott, the BCYR team have worked to address barriers to trust in clinical settings and gaps in maternal health support for Aboriginal mothers and babies.
Professor Marriott said the milestone brought together years of Aboriginal-led research and work with communities, Elders, families, clinicians and researchers.
"Seeing BCYR embedded within a major health service gives us hope that future generations of Aboriginal children and families will experience care that is culturally safe, informed and grounded in their strengths," she said.
"While there is still much work to do, this launch demonstrates what is possible when Aboriginal voices are at the centre of designing solutions and genuine partnerships are built on trust, respect and a shared purpose."
The platform combines Aboriginal artwork with voiceovers from Aunties, sharing knowledge and guidance on everything from pregnancy and childbirth to bringing a baby home and raising strong children in strong communities.
The program has since supported Aboriginal mothers across Western Australia to build trusting relationships with healthcare clinicians and develop birth plans that reflect their cultural, spiritual, physical and emotional needs.
Practitioners and researchers from the Ngangk Yira Institute for Change and South Metropolitan Health Service gathered at Fiona Stanley Hospital's Boodjari Bidi Clinic space in October to mark the launch.
Senior Aboriginal Research Fellow Trish Ratajczak travelled to the Kimberley in September to deliver the BCYR program to healthcare workers operating in rural and remote communities.
"This achievement reflects the dedication of Aboriginal communities, Elders, families, clinicians and researchers who have worked together to create an innovative digital platform grounded in cultural strengths and responsive to the self-identified needs of Aboriginal mothers," she said.
Research Fellow Nicola Dsouza said collaboration was essential to ensuring culturally safe care.
"This is just the beginning of what we hope will be a long journey of strong partnerships, collaboration and continued work to ensure Aboriginal families feel heard, culturally safe and supported throughout their care," she added.
