Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 31, Number 5, 1 May 2014 — Revelation of Hawai'i's society through prenatal to perinatal care [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Revelation of Hawai'i's society through prenatal

to perinatal care

By Leilani Kūpahu-Marino A1993 Nobel Peaee Prize recipient, the late Nelson Mandela stated, "There is no keener revelation of a society's soul than the way in whieh it treats its children." Exploring our past provides a deeper understanding to traditions that enhanced the heahh of a mother and baby. Innate spiritual care impacted the future of a child, as shared by Kahu Kaleo Patterson, "In the Bible we see Mary being visited by the encouraging angel, Gabriel, as a sign or expression of perinatal nurturing and care." Kamehameha III received critieal perinatal care through prayer by his kāula (prophet), Kapihe, when he was a stillborn baby and later, fervent guidance of Queen Ka'ahumanu during his adolescent years. These two individuals strongly influenced his personality with traits evolving him into the longest-reigning monarch and a pioneer of changes. A mother is key to a baby's life, however, as Aunty Betty Jenkins expressed, "Since Uncle's (Jack) passing, I more often 'marvel' that

our love for eaeh other created another human being that is a part of him and a part of me." This nurturing perinatal care raised one of the most beau- ' tiful female voices of Hawai'i today. Kahu Kaleo Patterson also shared, "The Wahine hāpailikewise were treated in speeial ways in order to

inAuenee the wellness and health of the unborn child, and sometimes towards a desired trait or personality." King Kamehameha Nui did not receive the privilege of a full-time, breastfeeding mother; however, a nurtured pregnancy and the keen, skilled male leaders' after-birth care are proven examples of successful infancy care. These men protected Kamehameha Nui's earliest stage of life, nurtured and empowered his spirit to become a leader whose successful, compassionate, skilled expertise is a model used in today's military, cultural and health practices. Today's medical advances, with experiential knowledge, often leads

us to what was intuitively known by our ancestors - "the health of a child starts before conception." Pamela Almeida, neonatal nurse practitioner and Hawai'i Pacific University nursing professor, advocates for the necessity of a "healthy womb before pregnancy" - "prenatal and perinatal care are crucial and needs to be provided to all women." On the other end of the spectrum, a baby's lifespan may be limited to early childhood as Prince Albert experienced. Queen Emma understood the importance of breast milk for Prince Albert, whieh was provided through his wet nurse, Queen Kapi'olani. Unfortunately, thelittle

prince would experience death at the young age of 4. Our Hawaiians understood hospice care then as we offer it today - compassionate care to the end, leaving "his countenance the image of sweetness and heavenly radiance." Maria LaFond, a mother and HPU advanced practice nursing student, experienced this similar painful loss of a baby and feels, "We are all family and the care of a sick or dying child determines how we live our lives." State Sen. Susie Chun Oakland co-founded the annual Children and Youth Day at the state Capitol to celebrate the positive ways of rais-

ing healthier babies to adolescents. "Understanding that what we eat, drink, inhale, experience, talkabout and do will impact our unbom ehildren in positive or negative ways, we must be able to eall upon innate wisdom and do all we ean to nourish them." Perpetuating the vision of King Kamehameha IV and Queen Emma of serving the heahh, education and spiritual needs of the people, St. Andrew's Cathedral recently began the Heahh, Harmony and Wellness program led by Kahu Kaleo Patterson and offered every Monday from3:30 to 5:30 p.m. Complimentary services include weekly basic heahh checks, exercise, lomilomi, hospice/bereavement support and spiritual counseling. The 30th annual Pacific Rim Conference at the Hawai'i Convention Center on Monday, May 19 will include a focus on neonatal care. On May 20, The Prince Albert Guild will celebrate Prince Albert's life with a reception from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at St. Andrew's Cathedral. For more information on fees and RS VP, please contact admin@malama onakeiki.org or (808) 352-0013. ■ Leilani Kūpahu-Manno, RN, is founder ofMāIama o Nā Kei.ki, a nonprofit organization providing direct services, education, certification and professionaI deveIopment for neonatal professiona!s, nursing students and caregivers.

Caring for our keiki is one of the strongest tenets of a society. - lllustration: Dietrich Varez