South Australian program supporting Aboriginal families through pregnancy and beyond

A new program empowering Aboriginal families by providing greater comfort and control during pregnancy is now enrolling mums at the Women’s and Children’s Hospital (WCH) in Adelaide.

Created by the Aboriginal Communities and Families Health Research Alliance (ACRA) based at SAHMRI, the ICARE program, has enrolled eleven women so far through antenatal clinic referrals. 

With consent to contact in place, ICARE researchers meet mums in clinic, listen to their priorities and work with them to co-design the right mix of supports. Where helpful, an Aboriginal counsellor will be available on-site, with additional services to reduce stress and system-navigation burden on families.

Program Co-Leaders, Dr Yvonne Clark and Ms Karen Glover say ICARE builds on evidence from its predecessor, Corka Bubs, a two-year pilot program that brought together a multidisciplinary team to deliver culturally safe, practical support.

“Mums have told us having access to counselling and practical help during pregnancy is what’s most useful to them,” Dr Clark said.

“Corka Bubs showed having trusted people and services close at hand can help families feel stronger, better informed and less stressed.”

For mums like Simmayah, who took part in Corka Bubs while pregnant with her son Louie, the sense of belonging and face-to-face counselling support has been invaluable.

“My partner was a long way away and I was going through the pregnancy alone. Having someone to talk to made a big difference,” she said.

“Being at the hospital meant staff could pop in and say hello at my appointments, it was good knowing someone was there for me.”

“My counsellor was really helpful, she understood where I was coming from, and she made me feel very comfortable.”

The Royal Commission into Domestic, Family and Sexual Violence in South Australia referenced Corka Bubs in its recommendations, calling for the implementation of on-going early-intervention assistance for families.

ICARE is part of the response to that call, focusing on strengthening wellbeing in pregnancy and the early parenting period, rather than child-protection.

It also draws on insights from the Aboriginal Families Study, running since 2012, which highlighted the social determinants that can shape pregnancy experiences and the need for culturally safe, practical models of care.

ICARE combines systems change and quality improvement within maternity services, and includes the Baby Coming You Ready digital platform, and Coolamon wrap-around care. Coolamon is a face-to-face, relationship-based support package linking families with services they choose, such as counselling, legal advice and social support.

“ICARE takes some of the successful elements of Corka Bubs further, with the potential to provide them at scale, so more families can benefit,” Ms Glover said.

“Coolamon keeps that relational model while tailoring supports to each family’s strengths and worries.”

Now pregnant with her second child, Simmayah’s grateful she can maintain access to the support that is so valuable to her, by being part of ICARE.

“They make me feel like family. I know what I’m doing now being pregnant the second time around.” Simmayah said.

“I would tell other mums like to me to definitely join, as it’s very helpful.”

All going well, the team plans to expand the program to all three Adelaide metro public birthing hospitals.