Maternal experiences of ethnic discrimination and subsequent birth outcomes in Aotearoa New Zealand

Background Interpersonal discrimination experience has been associated with adverse birth outcomes. Limited research has evaluated this relationship within multicultural contexts outside the United States where the nature and salience of discrimination experiences may differ. Such research is important in order to help identify protective and risk factors that may mediate the relationship between discrimination experience and adverse birth outcomes. Methods Evaluated the relationship between perceived discrimination, as measured in pregnancy, with birth weight and gestation length among Māori, Pacific, and Asian women from Aotearoa New Zealand (N = 1653). Results Thirty percent of the sample reported some type of unfair treatment that they attributed to their ethnicity. For Māori women specifically, unfair treatment at work (β = − 243 g) and in acquiring housing (β = − 146 g) were associated with lower birth weight when compared to Māori women not experiencing these types of discrimination, while an ethnically motivated physical attack (β = − 1.06 week), and unfair treatment in the workplace (β = − 0.95 week), in the criminal justice system (β = − 0.55 week), or in banking (β = − 0.73 week) were associated with significantly shorter gestation. Conclusions Despite a high prevalence of discrimination experience among women from all ethnic groups, discrimination experience was a strong predictor of lower birth weight and shorter gestation length among indigenous Māori women only. Additional research is needed to better understand the risk and protective factors that may moderate the relationship between discrimination experience and adverse birth outcomes among women from different ethnic groups

When the Woman Is the Mother: The Work of Pediatrician for Caring Mothers and Children

Intimate partner violence (IPV) during pregnancy is an important public health issue with serious adverse health consequences for both mother and newborn. IPV includes physical aggression, together with sexual coercion, emotional abuse, and controlling behaviors. The impact of IPV during pregnancy on newborn includes higher risk of preterm labour, intrauterine growth retardation, perinatal death and potential emotional problems. Children exposed to domestic violence can develop emotional, behavioral, physical, social and academic problems. Pediatricians, educators, and other professionals who work with youth should be aware of this in order to prevent violence and promote the necessary interventions and services for caring mothers and their children