Birthing As Country

Abstract Background This case study explores the four pregnancy and birthing journeys of Wiradjuri & Ngemba-Wayilwan woman, Fleur Magick Dennis. Fleur provides a personal account of her journeys and relates them to socio-cultural issues surrounding her life during these times. Fleur experienced her first birth in hospital and her three next births at different locations out of hospital on Wiradjuri Country. Fleur is able to show that her personal wellbeing & healing and that of her family & community is linked to her having been able to birth according to her spiritual & cultural beliefs. The midwife for Fleur’s third and fourth pregnancy, Hazel Keedle, then provides a brief account of her experiences supporting Fleur in her choices and explores the impact of these births on her midwifery and personal life.