The End of the Tunnel

In settler states, Black, Indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC) girls and young women are targeted for specific kinds of social service interventions embedded in the gendered genocidal logics of colonial ideologies. Interlocking forms of violent carceral capture operate across settler institutions such as child welfare, immigration, and justice systems that are tasked with policing and criminalizing nonwhite girls. Conceptualizing these interconnected systems as a transcarceral pipeline, we examine their inner workings and impacts on Indigenous girls and BIPOC refugee girls in Canada through two sites of inquiry: child welfare systems targeting Indigenous girls and young mothers; and the immigration-child-welfare pipeline for refugee girls of color. Our analysis stresses the urgency of anticolonial systems of care grounded in sovereignty-making collective relations.

Bodies of concern? A qualitative exploration of eating, moving and embodiment in young mothers

In some countries, including the United Kingdom, young mothers’ pregnant and postnatal bodies remain an area of concern for policy and practice, with interventions developed to support improved health behaviours including diet and physical activity. This article explores what young women themselves think and feel about eating and moving during and after pregnancy. Semi-structured interviews with 11 young mothers were conducted within two voluntary organisations. Data were analysed using thematic analysis with the theoretical lens of embodiment, which provided an understanding of how young women’s eating and moving habits related to how they felt about their bodies in the world. Four themes situated in different experiences of being and having a body were identified: pregnant body, emotional body, social body and surveilled body. Stress and low mood impacted eating habits as young women responded to complex circumstances and perceived judgement about their lives. Food choices were influenced by financial constraints and shaped by the spaces and places in which young women lived. Whilst young women were busy moving in their day-to-day lives, they rarely had the resources to take part in other physical activity. Holistic approaches that focus on how women feel about their lives and bodies and ask them where they need support are required from professionals. Interventions that address the structural influences on poor diet and inequalities in physical activity participation are necessary to underpin this. Approaches that over-focus on the achievement of individual health behaviours may fail to improve long-term health and risk reinforcing young women’s disadvantage.

Tūmanako: Kaupapa Māori informed action research with young mothers

<p>This research is kaupapa Māori informed action research that was carried out in collaboration with a rōpū of young mothers and a local Wellington based film company. Originally intended as an action research project in collaboration with a group of young people to produce a mental health-themed resource, during a series of hui around experiences of the rōpū it became apparent that this project would be devoted to the creation of a short film. Specifically, an inspirational resource for other young mothers. The film was intended to promote hope for other young mothers who are going through the challenges of young parenthood, and offer advice around supports they can access to help them get through such times. This thesis documents how kaupapa Māori principles influenced the development of this resource, and also highlights common experiences, challenges, coping mechanisms and support accessed by the rōpū. Among other themes, it became clear that teen parenthood was not the ‘cause’ of challenges experienced by this rōpū, but a source of motivation and hope for the future.</p>

Tūmanako: Kaupapa Māori informed action research with young mothers

<p>This research is kaupapa Māori informed action research that was carried out in collaboration with a rōpū of young mothers and a local Wellington based film company. Originally intended as an action research project in collaboration with a group of young people to produce a mental health-themed resource, during a series of hui around experiences of the rōpū it became apparent that this project would be devoted to the creation of a short film. Specifically, an inspirational resource for other young mothers. The film was intended to promote hope for other young mothers who are going through the challenges of young parenthood, and offer advice around supports they can access to help them get through such times. This thesis documents how kaupapa Māori principles influenced the development of this resource, and also highlights common experiences, challenges, coping mechanisms and support accessed by the rōpū. Among other themes, it became clear that teen parenthood was not the ‘cause’ of challenges experienced by this rōpū, but a source of motivation and hope for the future.</p>

FEATURES OF PREGNANCY AND DELIVERY IN ADOLESCENT WOMEN

Aim: to assess the risk of adverse consequences of adolescent pregnancy for mother and foetus in women from Lviv region. Material and methods. Complications of pregnancy and childbirth in adolescent women were studied retrospectively at the Lviv Regional Clinical Hospital. Results and discussion. 134 cases of adolescent childbirths for 2013 to 2017 were analyzed. The analysis of data on the course of pregnancy in adolescent women showed that the vast majority of them had complicated pregnancy and were at risk of preterm childbirth. A significant proportion of young women, 78 (58.2%), significantly more often required the therapy during pregnancy. Assessment of the health status of newborns showed that ¼ (24.6%) of young women gave birth to premature babies, and almost 1/3 of children, 51 (38.0%), from young mothers had a complicated early neonatal period. Within the spectrum of complications, the commonest diagnosis was "prematurity" in 33 (24.6%) children from young mothers. The pathological course of the early neonatal period in 51 (38.0%) children of the main group required transfer to other departments for further treatment. 82 (61.2%) children from this group were discharged home, while in the control group all 100 (100.0%) children were discharged from maternity home. Conclusions. The study has demonstrated that the risk factors for perinatal pathology in newborns from adolescent women included probably complicated pregnancy, risk of spontaneous abortion (17.9%), preterm birth (24.6%), and the childbirth of premature infants with impaired condition at birth, who needed treatment in other medical institutions (38.0%). Adolescent pregnant women are at risk for obstetric and perinatal complications.

E hine, ngā whāea: Teen mothering in the gaze

<p>In Aotearoa New Zealand, teen pregnancy is associated with social disadvantage and being ‘Māori’. Research on teen motherhood typically focuses on ‘risks’ and ‘dangers’, such as lower educational attainment and welfare ‘dependency’. These images cast young Māori mothers as abnormal and deviant – as perpetually deficit. Hence, public (and public service) perceptions of these women are often negative. This study displaces the deficit lens, and explores the lived realities of fifteen young (teen) Māori mothers, and the perspectives of their whānau. The purpose of this research was to understand the life circumstances of young Māori mothers, to examine the role of the state in their lives, and to make suggestions for service improvements. It draws on data from the E Hine study (Women’s Health Research Centre, Otago University, Wellington). Young mothers participating in E Hine were interviewed three to seven times over a three-year period, with up to two whānau interviews conducted for each young woman. The data set for this thesis, comprising of fifteen young Māori mothers and their whānau, totalled eighty-four in-depth, semi-structured interviews. Data analysis was thematic, and was informed by Foucault’s concepts of the medical and disciplinary gazes, and postcolonial notions of the colonial gaze. The research suggests that public health and social services, as well as public perceptions, seek to regulate these young women according to Eurocentric conceptions of normality; and in doing so, stigmatize and disengage them, thus creating barriers to positive outcomes. Despite this, these young mothers resist disempowerment, and hope for a better future for themselves and their whānau. Their stories are a testament to the fact that being young and Māori and mothering does not equate to failure. By treating young Māori mothers with respect and empathy, support services could be improved.</p>

E hine, ngā whāea: Teen mothering in the gaze

<p>In Aotearoa New Zealand, teen pregnancy is associated with social disadvantage and being ‘Māori’. Research on teen motherhood typically focuses on ‘risks’ and ‘dangers’, such as lower educational attainment and welfare ‘dependency’. These images cast young Māori mothers as abnormal and deviant – as perpetually deficit. Hence, public (and public service) perceptions of these women are often negative. This study displaces the deficit lens, and explores the lived realities of fifteen young (teen) Māori mothers, and the perspectives of their whānau. The purpose of this research was to understand the life circumstances of young Māori mothers, to examine the role of the state in their lives, and to make suggestions for service improvements. It draws on data from the E Hine study (Women’s Health Research Centre, Otago University, Wellington). Young mothers participating in E Hine were interviewed three to seven times over a three-year period, with up to two whānau interviews conducted for each young woman. The data set for this thesis, comprising of fifteen young Māori mothers and their whānau, totalled eighty-four in-depth, semi-structured interviews. Data analysis was thematic, and was informed by Foucault’s concepts of the medical and disciplinary gazes, and postcolonial notions of the colonial gaze. The research suggests that public health and social services, as well as public perceptions, seek to regulate these young women according to Eurocentric conceptions of normality; and in doing so, stigmatize and disengage them, thus creating barriers to positive outcomes. Despite this, these young mothers resist disempowerment, and hope for a better future for themselves and their whānau. Their stories are a testament to the fact that being young and Māori and mothering does not equate to failure. By treating young Māori mothers with respect and empathy, support services could be improved.</p>

The Impact of Antenatal Breastfeeding Education on Young Women’s Breastfeeding Self-efficacy and Breastfeeding Rates

<p>Background: Despite the known benefits of breastfeeding to the mother, baby and society as a whole, young women’s breastfeeding rates are generally poor compared to older mothers. Effective antenatal education has been identified as one way to improve these rates. Whether or not antenatal breastfeeding education for young women can make a significant impact on their breastfeeding success is of paramount concern in this research. An important and modifiable variable, identified in the literature as influencing breastfeeding outcomes, is self-efficacy (confidence in ability to breastfeed). This breastfeeding self-efficacy in young mothers is of great interest due to this group and their infants being vulnerable in terms of breastfeeding initiation and continuation. Aim: This study aimed to identify the effects of antenatal breastfeeding education on the self-efficacy, experience and duration of breastfeeding for young women. It also aimed to replicate aspects of prior research in this area conducted overseas to see if those findings could be generalized to a New Zealand setting. Method: A repeated measure design using an existing validated tool was utilised to quantify breastfeeding self-efficacy, prior to and following, an antenatal breastfeeding education session for young pregnant women aged less than 25 years old. Findings: Breastfeeding antenatal education improved breastfeeding self-efficacy scores in urban young women less than 25 years of age. The Breastfeeding Self-efficacy Scale (short form), was found to be a reliable tool to test this. Whilst initiation rates were high in this group, there was no statistically significant link with breastfeeding self-efficacy and the duration and continuation of breastfeeding. Conclusion: Whilst breastfeeding antenatal education was shown to increase breastfeeding self-efficacy, there are many confounding factors influencing breastfeeding initiation and continuation for young women. The findings have contributed to the knowledge about breastfeeding patterns of young New Zealand women. It may be that despite international findings, an increased breastfeeding self-efficacy in this setting doesn’t impact on the rates of breastfeeding of urban New Zealand young mothers. Further research with an increased sample size and comparison groups is warranted.</p>

The Impact of Antenatal Breastfeeding Education on Young Women’s Breastfeeding Self-efficacy and Breastfeeding Rates

<p>Background: Despite the known benefits of breastfeeding to the mother, baby and society as a whole, young women’s breastfeeding rates are generally poor compared to older mothers. Effective antenatal education has been identified as one way to improve these rates. Whether or not antenatal breastfeeding education for young women can make a significant impact on their breastfeeding success is of paramount concern in this research. An important and modifiable variable, identified in the literature as influencing breastfeeding outcomes, is self-efficacy (confidence in ability to breastfeed). This breastfeeding self-efficacy in young mothers is of great interest due to this group and their infants being vulnerable in terms of breastfeeding initiation and continuation. Aim: This study aimed to identify the effects of antenatal breastfeeding education on the self-efficacy, experience and duration of breastfeeding for young women. It also aimed to replicate aspects of prior research in this area conducted overseas to see if those findings could be generalized to a New Zealand setting. Method: A repeated measure design using an existing validated tool was utilised to quantify breastfeeding self-efficacy, prior to and following, an antenatal breastfeeding education session for young pregnant women aged less than 25 years old. Findings: Breastfeeding antenatal education improved breastfeeding self-efficacy scores in urban young women less than 25 years of age. The Breastfeeding Self-efficacy Scale (short form), was found to be a reliable tool to test this. Whilst initiation rates were high in this group, there was no statistically significant link with breastfeeding self-efficacy and the duration and continuation of breastfeeding. Conclusion: Whilst breastfeeding antenatal education was shown to increase breastfeeding self-efficacy, there are many confounding factors influencing breastfeeding initiation and continuation for young women. The findings have contributed to the knowledge about breastfeeding patterns of young New Zealand women. It may be that despite international findings, an increased breastfeeding self-efficacy in this setting doesn’t impact on the rates of breastfeeding of urban New Zealand young mothers. Further research with an increased sample size and comparison groups is warranted.</p>