Experiences of whānau Māori with pēpi at risk of neonatal hypoglycaemia: A qualitative study

Neonatal hypoglycaemia can cause substantial morbidity and mortality. Pēpi Māori (Indigenous infants from Aotearoa New Zealand) are at increased risk. This study explored the lived experience of whānau (extended family kinship groups) Māori having a pēpi at risk of hypoglycaemia. Whānau Māori collectives were interviewed, and transcripts analysed using NVivo software and the Reflexive Thematic Analysis. There were 11 participants (10 whānau collectives; 10 Māmā (mothers) and one Pāpā (father)). The overarching concept of Pā Harakeke (flax bush) framed three superordinate themes, each with subordinate themes. Themes were Whānau, (desire to do the best for pēpi, whakapapa (geneology), collective decision making and whānau led solutions), Shifting the narrative (whānau as part of the team, communication, mana motuhake (self-determination), fully informed) and Health system (colonial health structures, navigation, racism and tikanga (customs)). Whānau Māori narratives provided insight into opportunities for optimising care for those with pēpi at risk of neonatal hypoglycaemia.