Reference no: EM133342973

Case Study

This case focuses on a low-income, non-English speaking Indigenous Anishinaabe people, one of Canada's First Nations family and their experiences. As you read through this story, pay special attention to areas that may potentially lead to lack of cultural safety and a need for advocacy. Reflect on your own assumptions and biases about the topics presented.

Ishkode and Makwe were married and so excited to start their journey to becoming a family. They live in small house in Sheguiandah First Nation Reserve with Ishkodes's mother. Makwa, works very hard as a custodian at a local school and a part time job helping to fix cars to provide his family with enough income. He has picked up a little English at work, but only Ojibwe is spoken at home. When Ishkode was pregnant with her first child, her mother shared her own experiences with birthing her children at home with a midwife, who called the elders and other young women to attend the birth, Telling stories of the calm and quiet demeanor of the midwife, the soft moss that she laid down on, the warm water for gentle bathing and the closeness to nature for such a beautiful experience. Her mother shared how important it was to be quiet at birth so the baby would not be afraid to come out. The umbilical cord was sacred and was to be saved and attached to the baby bag, so the child would not cry for its loss. Ishkod was very worried, as she would need to be air evacuated to a local medical center at 37 weeks gestation, to give birth in a medical center, alone, as they lived in a remote village with no midwife or community support. Ishkod was very sad that she could not experience her childbirth with Anishinaabe practices and worried about how she would feel being away from her family and culture in a strange new place. Ishkode has just arrived by plane to the medical centre for the birth of her first child. She is alone. Her husband Makwe could not leave his job, as they cannot afford the loss of income. She is quiet, with down cast eyes, and has limited English. She is carrying a small bag of moss with her.

Questions:

1. Describe the concept of cultural safety and what it means to you.

2. What social/historical factors have altered Ishkode's birth experience and access to care?

3. What might it have been like for Ishkode, as an Indigenous person, to be told she could not deliver her child in her own community?

4. Reflect on your own assumptions and biases surrounding childbirth practices and how you might interpret alternate practices.

5. How might you adapt your nursing practice in response to Ishkode's spiritual beliefs or cultural practices?