Birthing on Country is about choice, and the power that comes from making your own choice.

For some First Nations women it might be the choice to birth safely on the lands of their ancestors, instead of travelling thousands of kilometres away to a hospital where they don’t speak the language.

For others it might be bringing a symbol of their homelands with them into the hospital, or having their placenta returned to country after the birth.

As a leading advocate for Birthing on Country – a practice that stretches back countless generations of First Nations mums - Professor Yvette Roe knows that what happens in birth can echo through the lives of both parent and child.

Embedding these choices in birthing settings across the country is Professor Roe’s mission as the Co-Director of the Molly Wardaguga Research Centre, where their focus is to radically transform maternity services for First Nations families no matter where they are giving birth.

So how can Birthing on Country keep First Nations mums’ physical and emotional wellbeing safe?

Please Note: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander listeners should be aware, this episode contains references to people who have died.

Survive and Thrive is a PANDA podcast, produced by Deadset Studios

Visit panda.org.au for more support.

Family violence support:

It’s important to know that there is a risk during this time in your life that family violence will get worse, or it may start for the first time. If you’re worried about safety in your relationship, support is available.

1800 RESPECT (support for people affected by family violence): 1800 737 732 or 1800respect.org.au (24/7)

Speak to PANDA:

Call the PANDA Helpline on 1300 726 306 (9am-7:30pm Monday-Saturday AEST).

The Helpline provides a safe and confidential space for any new or expecting parent struggling with the challenges of becoming a new parent.

Our highly trained and caring counsellors can help you work through your challenges by talking openly and honestly about your thoughts, feelings and experiences.

Partners, family members and friends can also call, as can health professionals supporting expecting and new parents.

More resources:

Pregnancy, Birth and Baby Helpline: 1800 882 436 (24/7)

Lifeline: 13 11 14 (24/7) or lifeline.org.au (12pm to midnight)

Suicide Callback Service: 1300 659 467 or suicidecallbackservice.org.au (24/7)

QLife: 1800 184 527 or qlife.org.au (3PM to midnight)

Mensline: 1300 78 99 78 or mensline.org.au (24/7)

If you need help now:

If you are concerned about your safety or that of a loved one, please call 000 or visit your local hospital emergency department.

Acknowledgement:

PANDA acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the land where we work and live and where this podcast is made. We pay our respects to Elders past, present and emerging. We celebrate the stories, culture and traditions of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Elders of all communities who also work and live on this land.

We recognise the individual and collective contributions of people with a lived and/or living experience of mental health issues, their families, loved ones and supporters.

Each person’s journey is unique and a valued contribution to Australia’s commitment to PANDA's work and mental health systems reform.

It is through listening to and acting on the voices of people with lived experience, that those who provide services, those who fund services, and most importantly, those who use services that we will find the information we need to move towards the mental health system Australia needs.

Every person’s story we hear, every experience shared, helps to develop our understanding of the system that is required to best meet the needs of Australians living with mental health issues, their families, loved ones and supporters.

CREDITS

Host: Gia Hogarth

PANDA Digital Editor: Serena Ashmore

PANDA Commissioning Editor: Bec Shafer

Deadset Studios Senior Producer: Grace Pashley

Deadset Studios Executive Producer: Rachel Fountain

Sound Design by Krissy Miltiadou