The aim of this research was to explore perinatal clinical indicators and experiences of postnatal care among European and Middle Eastern migrant women, and to compare them with those of British women, at one tertiary hospital in the North East of Scotland. The numbers of non-British maternity service users increased over the period 2004 to 2008. This increase was not only in numbers but also in diversity of the countries of origins, religions, languages and specific cultural needs, which form new demands on the health services. European women were more likely to be younger, and primigravida and Middle Eastern women were more likely to be married, than British women. Both these migrant groups were more likely to breastfeed at birth and at discharge than British women. However, there was no significant difference in maternal postnatal length of stay in hospital between the study groups. The data do not suggest poorer processes of care or birth outcomes for the new migrant groups. Both migrant and British women reported positive experiences of postnatal care when their needs, those considered basic and essential for each woman after giving birth, were met. Negative postnatal experiences were explored among women from both groups when there were shortcomings in meeting those essential needs. The acceptance of and the expectations about the postnatal care provided differed between migrant and British women, due to their previous experiences in different countries. Although both migrant groups were first generation in Aberdeen and shared some needs and preferences, each migrant group had its own specific needs and beliefs that reflected the women’s culture, religion and country of origin.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:bl.uk/oai:ethos.bl.uk:540501 |
| Date | January 2011 |
| Creators | Almalik, Mona M. A. |
| Publisher | University of Aberdeen |
| Source Sets | Ethos UK |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Electronic Thesis or Dissertation |
| Source | http://digitool.abdn.ac.uk:80/webclient/DeliveryManager?pid=165719 |
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