I was a lawyer and qualified social worker, but the fear of having my child taken away loomed over me. Too many First Nations families had gone through it before me
‘Despite the weight of trauma and the injustices our women have to face, First Nations mothers are determined to redefine parenthood with strength, love and power,’ writes Vanessa Turnbull-Roberts‘Despite the weight of trauma and the injustices our women have to face, First Nations mothers are determined to redefine parenthood with strength, love and power,’ writes Vanessa Turnbull-RobertsThe fears my parents both had when I was born carried through when I was pregnant with my own daughter.
Hospitals, which are meant to be places of safety and healing, have unfortunately been mired in the mistreatment and removal of First Nations children. The fear of having my child taken away without consent, and losing the precious bond between us, loomed over me. Even as a lawyer with a social work qualification, I remained terrified of this.
Acknowledging and addressing my fear was a very real act of empowerment. I wonder if non-Indigenous people or people going through the private system face these fears. I highly doubt it. By taking proactive steps, engaging in open communication and embracing alternative birthing options, I was able to navigate the hospital experience with resilience.
I won’t deny I had genuine fears. A few months after giving birth to Waitui, I actually stopped going to therapy. Looking back, I now realise that my decision was fuelled by the fear of my daughter being reported. I immediately responded with surveillance trauma, which is a common fear we carry as survivors due to our history of being watched and the particular circumstances of trauma as children.
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