Maternity care for asylum-seeking and migrant women in south east London

Healthwatch Greenwich wanted to understand the maternity care experiences of migrant and asylum-seeking women and birthing people living and using services in south east London. They used co production and community researchers to interview 24 people.

The research identified a mixed experience regarding the quality of care provided by services. While some praised the compassion and support of health and social care staff, particularly midwives, others experienced what they felt were discriminatory differences in treatment based on their ethnic backgrounds and migration status.

Before migrating to the U.K., women had high expectations of NHS maternity services and the health system more broadly. Many found these expectations unmet, with care and treatment falling well below expectations and anticipated levels of care and support.

Access to maternity care for migrant and asylum-seeking women was shaped by ambiguity regarding healthcare costs and entitlements. Immigration status affected eligibility for welfare benefits and the ability to work, leading to financial insecurity.

Caring for newborns was demanding and overwhelming, particularly for migrant and asylum seeking women who lacked traditional support systems to help manage these new responsibilities.

The networks of support found in partners, friends, and family are crucial as a source of pregnancy/baby advice and information in addition to providing emotional and physical support for migrant and asylum-seeking women and birthing people. In the absence of these networks, women found themselves isolated and struggling to manage the demands of pregnancy and young children.

The report contains recommendations around the key themes of equitable treatment, access to information and support, postnatal support and cultural sensitivities.