Maternity experience of women from ethnic minority communities

Healthwatch Hammersmith and Fulham undertook research on the maternity experiences of ethnic minority women after a CQC report on maternity care stated that nearly half of the maternity services in England were rated as either 'needs improvement' or 'inadequate'.  They undertook interviews with 32 women.

A notable finding from the study was the disparity in experiences between ethnic groups. Women from ethnic minority backgrounds, particularly those from black or Asian communities, reported more unsatisfactory experiences during both pregnancy and childbirth. For instance, during pregnancy, these women faced a range of challenges including the high cost of living (a significant issue among Asian/British Asian women), a lack of family support, the impacts of COVID-19, and diabetes. In contrast, white participants primarily dealt with issues such as the absence of familial assistance, pre-eclampsia, food cravings, and also the cost of living.

Despite the challenges faced during pregnancy, almost all respondents felt satisfied with the quality of care they received post-birth. However, it is important to note that 30% of these women felt that the support offered was insufficient to meet their needs. When asked, women expressed a need for more focus on support offered by staff in terms of information, face-to-face appointments, training, and positive attitudes. 

Overall, this study highlights where inequalities in maternity care experiences lie, pointing to the need for targeted improvements to support women from all backgrounds, particularly those from minority ethnic groups. Addressing these disparities will help ensure equitable and high-quality maternity care for all.