Access to high-quality, culturally responsive maternity health care is necessary for the promotion of healthy outcomes for mothers and their babies. However, for women living in regional and remote areas of Australia, this can be challenging. Western methods of care by health professionals often fall short due to large clinical loads, lack of cultural training and high turnover of staff. This is often the case in the provision of culturally responsive care for pregnant Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women (hereafter respectfully Indigenous).

The Mums & Bubs Deadly Diets research project is undertaking the co-design and co-development of a mobile health (mHealth) nutrition resource for Indigenous women during pregnancy. This resource will prioritize the nutritional, heath and cultural needs identified by Indigenous participants in QLD, NSW, and WA. It aimed to identify, explore and celebrate the women’s resilience, strength and energy invested every day in the raising of their children and families.

Participants effectively articulated the challenges they encountered in their everyday life and their resilience in navigating these challenges. When encountering discrimination within the healthcare system, they proactively sought out information and support from community groups where they found solidarity with other women facing similar issues. Additionally, they showed courage to assert their rights in situations when they felt the right thing was not being done by them.They have a variety of ways to manage health conditions including diabetes and anaemia by using apps along with other internet resources, traditional food knowledge and healthy eating knowledge. They manage to provide for children and put them first to give them a better life, even when facing things such as low income and family and domestic violence. There is a desire for more culturally specific information and education at all sites, especially around maternity health and nutrition.