title: Traditional First Nations birthing practices: interviews with elders in Northwestern Ontario.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Traditionally, First Nations maternity care was provided by community-based midwives trained through apprenticeship. Obstetrical practices and beliefs were integrated to provide holistic care. The Sioux Lookout Meno Ya Win Health Centre has a mandate to be a centre of excellence for Aboriginal health care. We undertook a literature review and performed a qualitative research study to understand some of the traditional practices in maternity care.
  
  
  METHODS
  We conducted qualitative semi-structured interviews in English and Oji-Cree with 12 elders who had knowledge and experience of historical birthing practices in their home communities. Research team members included nursing and medical personnel and Anishinabe First Nation members. Interviews were analyzed and themes developed and verified by member checking and triangulation.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The hands-on training for a community-based midwife often began in her teenage years with observation of childbirth practices. Practices were handed down by oral tradition and included prescriptions for healthy diet and moderate exercise during pregnancy; intrapartum care with preparation of clean cloths, moss, and scissors; the involvement of certain supportive family and community members; careful attention to the sacred handling of the placenta and umbilical cord; and careful wrapping of the newborn in fur. Complications, sometimes fatal, included retained placentas and stillbirths.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The provision of modern maternity care to Aboriginal patients should include acknowledgement of, and respect for, traditional birthing practices. Facilities providing care for these patients should consult with the relevant Aboriginal communities to understand their needs and initiate appropriate programming.
authors.affiliation: Division of Clinical Sciences, Northern Ontario School of Medicine Sioux Lookout ON.
authors.forename: Terry
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: O'Driscoll
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Health Sciences, Simon Fraser University Burnaby BC.
authors.forename: Lauren
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Payne
authors.affiliation: Division of Clinical Sciences, Northern Ontario School of Medicine Sioux Lookout ON.
authors.forename: Len
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Kelly
authors.affiliation: Special Advisor on First Nations Health, Sioux Lookout Meno Ya Win Health Centre Sioux Lookout ON.
authors.forename: Helen
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Cromarty
authors.affiliation: Division of Clinical Sciences, Northern Ontario School of Medicine Sioux Lookout ON.
authors.forename: Natalie St
authors.initials: NS
authors.lastname: Pierre-Hansen
authors.affiliation: Lac Seul First Nation ON.
authors.forename: Carol
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Terry
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice / Q000208:ethnology*; D006303:Health Services, Indigenous; D006801:Humans; D007198:Indians, North American; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008880:Midwifery; D009864:Ontario; D036801:Parturition / Q000208:ethnology*; D011247:Pregnancy