Experiences of Antenatal Care Among Women Who Are Socioeconomically Deprived in High‐Income Industrialized Countries: An Integrative Review

Abstract

Antenatal care models with women-centered approaches and continuity of care, such as midwifery models, have potential to increase the satisfaction of women with low socioeconomic status with care; this may increase antenatal care utilization and improve perinatal outcomes.

Understanding the Experiences and Needs of Migrant Women Affected by Female Genital Mutilation Using Maternity Services in Australia

“…Many women in our study stated that they were not adequately engaged in their health care because of low levels of health literacy, inadequate information and unfamiliarity with their health rights. Again, these findings concur with other studies [50,51] and confirm that women's participation in the process of health information design leads to more satisfying and positive experiences with enhanced health outcomes [52]. Health literacy programs that involve women designing and delivering programs not only build the capacity of women to facilitate the sharing of stories and experiences but also empowers women to support others in their community [53].…”

Maternity care experiences and health needs of migrant women from female genital mutilation–practicing countries in high‐income contexts: A systematic review and meta‐synthesis

“…In our review, language barriers and miscommunication were highlighted as challenges to shared decision‐making. Evidence shows that choices concerning a woman's pregnancy may be made by their primary clinicians without full consultation with the woman . While women usually consider birth a natural and empowering process, disregarding women's autonomy and involvement may disempower them, thereby preventing women from engaging in shared decision‐making …”

“…Evidence shows that choices concerning a woman's pregnancy may be made by their primary clinicians without full consultation with the woman. 13 While women usually consider birth a natural and empowering process, 70,71 disregarding women's autonomy and involvement may disempower them, 11,72,73 thereby preventing women from engaging in shared decision-making. 60 The findings of our synthesis provide insights from the perspective of affected women into issues concerned with the provision of their own care.…”

“…Studies with migrant women from FGM‐practicing countries in high‐income countries suggest that the poor birth outcomes could be related to cultural factors such as delays in seeking care, refusal of medical interventions, and poor communication between women and care providers . Migrant women are often less able to understand treatment protocols or health information due to language issues, unfamiliarity with the health systems, and a lack of shared decision‐making …”

“…12 Migrant women are often less able to understand treatment protocols or health information due to language issues, unfamiliarity with the health systems, and a lack of shared decision-making. 13 Studies show that health providers in high-income countries are inadequately prepared to provide quality care to women who have undergone FGM as they are unfamiliar with the law in relation to FGM, or with clinical interventions that may be required, such as deinfibulation (a procedure to open up a closed vagina or type 3 FGM). 14,15 Surgery (reinfibulation) after birth with the aim of resuturing the vaginal opening 6 is illegal in many high-income countries.…”