The maternity care experiences of women living in a diverse UK urban city: a survey study

TL;DR

This study explores the maternity care experiences of women in a diverse, deprived UK city, highlighting both positive and negative aspects of their care.

Contribution

The study provides insights into maternity care experiences in areas of high ethnic diversity and social deprivation using a targeted survey approach.

Findings

Black women were more likely to attend their first antenatal visit late compared to White or Asian women.

Black and multiparous women reported more positive postnatal experiences.

Themes from free text responses included continuity of care, communication, and timely pain relief.

Abstract

This study was undertaken to further understand the maternity experiences of women living in areas of high ethnic diversity and social deprivation. An anonymous self-reported on-line survey incorporating demographic, clinical outcome and validated tool (Experience of Maternity Care) questions, plus free text responses was used. Postnatal women, living in eight postcodes identified as areas of high socio-economic deprivation and ethnic diversity from a large urban NHS Trust in Northwest England were asked to complete the survey. Quantitative data was collected and analysed using appropriate statistics and free text responses were coded and thematically analysed.

361 women were included in the survey analysis. 74% of the sample identified as being from an ethnic minority. Black women (26/79, 33%) were more likely (p = 0.018) to attend their first antenatal visit at 12 or more weeks’ gestation compared to White (18/93, 19%) or Asian women (23/157, 15%). Black (p = 0.045) and multiparous (p = 0.025) women were more likely to report a positive postnatal experience and women who had been in the UK less than one year reported a more positive antenatal experience (p = 0.027). Most (82%) respondents did not mind being cared for during labour and birth by midwives or doctors they had not met before. Themes from free text responses included continuity of care, respectful care, communication, early labour care and access to timely pain relief.

Using a targeted approach ensured an ethnically diverse sample and despite overall positive experiences of maternity care, negative experiences reflect similar themes previously identified within UK maternity care.

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