Postpartum breastfeeding experiences in the traditional‐biomedical crossroads: A qualitative study using drawing with Vietnamese and Myanmarese refugee women in Australia

Abstract

Aims To explore how postpartum support networks, hospital stay and healthcare services had an impact on breastfeeding experiences of refugee women from Vietnam and Myanmar in Brisbane, Australia. Design A qualitative study guided by feminist methodological inquiry. Methods Semi‐structured interviews and drawing exercises were conducted with recent (<10 years) and established (≥10 years) refugee women between July 2015 ‐ June 2016. Verbal data were analysed thematically, whereas drawings were analysed with the critical visual analytical framework. Results The findings reflect how 36 mothers negotiated their breastfeeding experiences in the “traditional‐biomedical” intersection (major theme) in face of changing support networks, social structures, hospital policies and postpartum services postresettlement (sub‐themes). Tensions of cultural unfamiliarity in the western setting generally contributed to early breastfeeding cessation among recent arrivals, whereas social (extended families, tertiary education) and cultural (English literacy) capitals and a longer stay in Australia enabled established arrivals to integrate the traditional and western biomedical beliefs. Conclusion The ability of established arrivals to integrate both traditional and western worldviews may assist in addressing breastfeeding uncertainties that affect recent arrivals. Perspectives of midwives from the western postnatal spheres merit future exploration. Impact Positive early breastfeeding experiences lead to its long‐term success. By identifying the impact that conflicting beliefs have on breastfeeding experiences of refugees in the western biomedical environment, this study suggests how interventions that focus on reinforcing maternal cultural and social capital could benefit community empowerment, healthcare and policy sectors nationally and globally.

Accessing and navigating healthcare: A scoping review of the experiences of women of refugee background from Myanmar

“…One researcher reflected on her Chinese‐Burmese heritage when reporting on the positionality of the research team (Maung et al, 2021 ) and one researcher was a Karen woman of refugee background (Niner et al, 2014 ). Thirteen studies reported on the involvement of bicultural workers, key community informants or interpreters for participant recruitment, development of the data collection tool and data collection itself, including interpretation (Clark, 2018 ; Joseph et al, 2019 ; Joseph et al, 2020 ; Kumar, 2021 ; LaMancuso et al, 2016 ; Lenderts et al, 2021 ; Lor et al, 2018 ; Maung et al, 2021 ; Niner et al, 2013 ; Riggs et al, 2012 ; Schuster et al, 2019 ; Soin et al, 2020 ; Ussher et al, 2012 ).…”

“…When accessing healthcare, women navigated tensions between traditional and biomedical constructions of health (Joseph et al, 2019 ). Five studies reported on a misalignment between women's values and those of healthcare providers (Jiwrajka et al, 2017 ; Joseph et al, 2019 ; Joseph et al, 2020 ;LaMancuso et al, 2016 ; Niner et al, 2013 ). Two of these studies reported on the perspectives of healthcare providers (Jiwrajka et al, 2017 ; LaMancuso et al, 2016 ).…”

Navigating new lives: A scoping review and thematic synthesis of forced migrant women's perinatal experiences

“…Women described the shift in family dynamics they experienced as a result of their forced migration, and its implications during the perinatal period. The absence of sharing the joy of pregnancy ( Tobin et al., 2014 ), support in labour ( Hufton and Raven, 2016 ; Lephard and Haith-Cooper, 2016 ; Henry et al., 2020 ) or with breastfeeding ( Gallegos et al., 2015 ; Hufton and Raven, 2016 ; Joseph et al., 2019 ), and assistance with caring for other children ( Gallegos et al., 2015 ) was noted by participants. In two studies, this was identified as a cause of poor perinatal mental health ( Riggs et al., 2017 ; Henry et al., 2020 ).…”

“…Role of formal support . In addition to kinship networks formed among those from the same country of origin, a number of studies found that women also relied on health professionals for support, in the form of practical help, listening, reassurance, empathy and encouragement ( Riggs et al., 2017 ; McLeish, 2005 ; Joseph et al., 2019 ; Lephard and Haith-Cooper, 2016 ; Gewalt et al., 2018 ; Kingsbury et al., 2018 ; Yelland et al., 2014 )]. This was particularly noticeable among participants who had access either to specialist services or models of care promoting continuity, in which trusting relationships with professionals had been formed.…”

“…Attendance by a female doctor ( Riggs et al., 2017 ; Murray et al., 2010 ) and understanding of FGM ( Lephard and Haith-Cooper, 2016 ; Stapleton et al., 2013 ; Murray et al., 2010 ; Bulman and McCourt, 2002 ) are examples of cultural safety highlighted by study participants. Additionally, there were tensions between women's cultural norms and practices and the biomedical model of maternity care or western cultural norms experienced in high-income countries ( Riggs et al., 2017 ; Gallegos et al., 2015 ; Niner et al., 2013 ; Joseph et al., 2019 ; Stapleton et al., 2013 ; Bader et al., 2020 ; Joseph et al., 2020 ; Kulig, 1990 ). As one participant said: “I felt like I was judged by my doctor…I wanted to do things according to my tradition but I was expected to do things differently.” ( Riggs et al., 2017 ).…”