Lay summary
Pregnancy and birth are pivotal life events, having the potential to both empower and create inequities. During the last two months, approximately 3,000 pregnant women were impacted by the devastating weather events following Cyclone Gabriel. With the increased occurrence of climate change events there is an urgency to better understand how emergency services and maternity practitioners can be adaptive and responsive to the needs of pregnant women and their whānau during a crisis event.
This research will provide novel insight into the intersections between maternity care services and crisis events, whilst highlighting any areas of inequity. During the first stage, a comprehensive literature review and in-depth interviews with key stakeholders will provide contextual understandings towards the critical issues impacting the sector. The overall aim of the study is to set priorities and develop a pioneering practical framework for maternity services to better support pregnant women in times of crises.