Pregnant, away from home. Maternal Health Care in Norway : Exploring migrant women's experiences of the maternal health care system in Norway

Abstract

This master thesis explores migrant women’s experiences with the maternal health care system in Norway, using a qualitative research strategy. It is based on interviews conducted with migrant women living in Kristiansand, who have given birth in Norway, as well as interviews with health workers in the maternal health service. The migrant women shared their personal experiences from pregnancy to childbirth whiles the health workers also gave their personal experiences related to providing antenatal and post-natal care. This was specific to migrant women living in Norway. My study adopts the ‘Quality of Care’ framework with a focus on ‘Experience of Care’ as the basis of analysis, using women and health personnel’s respective experiences. My findings reveal that migrant women do not get the same treatment as ethnic Norwegian due to the existing barriers. The main barriers are discussed in the thesis under the headings of communication, cultural differences, and limited access to information. Based on the data collected, the study makes various recommendations that will help improve maternal health care in Norway and make it easily accessible to everyone including migrant women to ensure equity in treatment.