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CONFERENCE PROCEEDING
Muslim women’s experiences of maternity care services in Australia
1
Western Sydney University, Nursing and Midwifery, Sydney, Australia
Eur J Midwifery 2026;10(Supplement 1):A207
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, Muslim women have a higher birth rate than other women in Australia. Like all pregnant and birthing women, they routinely engage with maternity services and interact with multiple health professionals. To date, there is little research exploring Muslim women’s experiences of maternity care services in Australia, despite the increase in Muslim women accessing maternity services and the overwhelming evidence of Islamophobic incidents in Australia.
OBJECTIVES:
This study aimed to explore Muslim women’s experiences of access to either public or private maternity services in NSW in the last 5 years.
METHODS:
A qualitative methodological approach was adopted to gather women’s experiences. Semi-structured interviews enabled data to be collected through telephone and video conferencing. Twelve Muslim women aged 20–43 years were interviewed. Women accessed various models of maternity care, including standard maternity care and continuity of care in public hospitals, as well as private midwifery and private obstetric care.
RESULTS:
The four major themes that emerged from the data were ‘My religion (Islam) played a big part in my decisions’, ‘Modesty and privacy is essential’, ‘Being disrespected and stereotyped’, and ‘Being respected and supported’. The religious beliefs and practices of participants were described as paramount in shaping choices and decisions during childbearing. Factors that negatively impacted women’s experiences included feeling judged, stereotyped and disrespected by staff. Some women described the factors that enhanced their experiences including health professionals who were respectful and supportive of their religious needs.
CONCLUSIONS:
The maternity care experiences of Muslim women in this study were shaped by the cultural sensitivity of maternity care providers. Culturally competent and trauma-informed care is essential to understand Muslim women’s needs, mitigate birth trauma and enhance maternity experiences.
KEY MESSAGE:
Muslim women’s maternity care experiences are shaped by cultural sensitivity, with respectful care improving experiences and stereotyping causing harm. Mental health - data
According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, Muslim women have a higher birth rate than other women in Australia. Like all pregnant and birthing women, they routinely engage with maternity services and interact with multiple health professionals. To date, there is little research exploring Muslim women’s experiences of maternity care services in Australia, despite the increase in Muslim women accessing maternity services and the overwhelming evidence of Islamophobic incidents in Australia.
OBJECTIVES:
This study aimed to explore Muslim women’s experiences of access to either public or private maternity services in NSW in the last 5 years.
METHODS:
A qualitative methodological approach was adopted to gather women’s experiences. Semi-structured interviews enabled data to be collected through telephone and video conferencing. Twelve Muslim women aged 20–43 years were interviewed. Women accessed various models of maternity care, including standard maternity care and continuity of care in public hospitals, as well as private midwifery and private obstetric care.
RESULTS:
The four major themes that emerged from the data were ‘My religion (Islam) played a big part in my decisions’, ‘Modesty and privacy is essential’, ‘Being disrespected and stereotyped’, and ‘Being respected and supported’. The religious beliefs and practices of participants were described as paramount in shaping choices and decisions during childbearing. Factors that negatively impacted women’s experiences included feeling judged, stereotyped and disrespected by staff. Some women described the factors that enhanced their experiences including health professionals who were respectful and supportive of their religious needs.
CONCLUSIONS:
The maternity care experiences of Muslim women in this study were shaped by the cultural sensitivity of maternity care providers. Culturally competent and trauma-informed care is essential to understand Muslim women’s needs, mitigate birth trauma and enhance maternity experiences.
KEY MESSAGE:
Muslim women’s maternity care experiences are shaped by cultural sensitivity, with respectful care improving experiences and stereotyping causing harm. Mental health - data
| eISSN: | 2585-2906 |
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