Maternity care for women from ethnic minority backgrounds in North-West England: A grounded theory study

Farrell, Sarah, Mills, Tracey ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2183-7999 and Lavender, Tina (2024) 'Maternity care for women from ethnic minority backgrounds in North-West England: A grounded theory study'. Sexual & Reproductive Healthcare, Vol 40, p. 100978.

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Abstract

Aim
To understand the maternity experiences of women from minority ethnic groups who had given birth in an NHS trust in the North-West of England, and experiences of midwives caring for them.

Background
Women from minority ethnic groups have poorer maternity outcomes compared with other women. Research about maternity experiences of women from minority ethnic groups is limited but suggests that they have poorer experiences.

Method
Constructivist grounded theory was used as the framework for the study. Thirteen women and sixteen midwives were interviewed to elicit views and maternity experiences of women from minority ethnic groups. Interviews were transcribed, analysed, and focused codes developed into theoretical codes resulting in an emergent grounded theory.

Findings
Four sub-categories emerged: ‘I was feeling protected’, ‘it is just literally empowering them, ‘it will affect them more’, and ‘if people speak out it will help other people’. These sub-categories generated a substantive theory: ‘striving towards equity and women centred care’.

Discussion
Culturally sensitive, relational care made women feel safe and trust their care providers. Information provision led to reassurance and enabled women to make choices about their care. Midwives’ workload compromised care provision and disproportionally affected women from minority ethnic groups, especially those who do not speak English. Women from minority groups are less likely to complain and be represented in feedback.

Conclusion
Culturally sensitive care is meeting the individual needs of many women; however, non– English speakers are disproportionally and negatively affected by midwives’ workload, attitudes, or service challenges, reducing their reassurance and choice.

Item Type:	Article
Subjects:	W General Medicine. Health Professions > Health Services. Patients and Patient Advocacy > W 84.4 Quality of Health Care W General Medicine. Health Professions > Health Services. Patients and Patient Advocacy > W 84 Health services. Delivery of health care WA Public Health > WA 30 Socioeconomic factors in public health (General) WA Public Health > Health Problems of Special Population Groups > WA 309 Women's health WA Public Health > Health Problems of Special Population Groups > WA 310 Maternal welfare
Faculty: Department:	Clinical Sciences & International Health > International Public Health Department
Digital Object Identifer (DOI):	https://doi.org/10.1016/j.srhc.2024.100978
Depositing User:	Rachel Dominguez
Date Deposited:	22 May 2024 12:01
Last Modified:	22 May 2024 12:01
URI:	https://archive.lstmed.ac.uk/id/eprint/24563

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