Impact on whänau wellbeing of transfer to secondary or tertiary hospitals after a disruption to the birthing journey

This article explores the impact on whänau wellbeing following wähine being transferred to either secondary or tertiary care hospitals to receive health care for themselves or their baby during the birthing journey. It was found that throughout this process, the wähine and whänau faced a series of challenges that compromised their wellbeing. Feeling isolated from their home, support networks and baby, and not fulfilling their motherhood expectations were major challenges. Three solutions are suggested that may encourage the delivery of culturally responsive care in this context: building environments that provide a sense of whanaungatanga with the people and space, allowing greater whänau participation in the cares of their baby and respecting the voices of whänau by engaging in meaningful conversations with them. Ensuring these changes are made may lessen the challenges encountered by wähine and whänau, and support flourishing wellbeing.