Somali immigrant women’s lived experiences of pregnancy and childbirth in Malta

Abstract

This study aimed to understand the lived experiences of Somali immigrant women during pregnancy and childbirth in the Maltese context. The objectives of the study were to explore Somali women’s experience of their pregnancy and childbirth in Malta, the needs of these women during pregnancy and childbirth and possible cultural barriers that Somali women faced during pregnancy and childbirth. The qualitative paradigm was used to conduct the study by using a semi-structured interview. The interview guide was specifically designed for the purpose of this research. Eight women were chosen to participate in this study by purposive sampling. All participants took part in two interviews. The first interview, which was audio recorded, was conducted within 3 months following childbirth. The second interview focused on the verification of data and the interpretation derived from their first interview. The focus of interpretative hermeneutic phenomenology, as described by vanManen (1990) was adapted to interpret the data. The resulting 6 major themes were ‘struggling to adapt’, ‘a sense of security’, ‘healthcare challenges’ ‘faith and tradition’ ‘changes and beliefs’ and ‘shifting identities’. The findings demonstrated that these women’s lived experiences ranged as a continuum between two extremes, namely from a sense of trust to struggling to adapt to this new phenomenon. Findings also show that while Somali women try to adapt and trust the healthcare system, few attempts have been actually made, by the healthcare system to support them. This research recognises the dire need to research this phenomenon as it is of crucial importance in our society due to the continuous influx of immigrants. It highlights the need for healthcare professionals to have the capacity to work in a cross cultural environment by introducing a good interpreting system to overcome language barriers. Healthcare professionals, especially midwives, are identified as important figures that need to recognise women as individuals with particular stories and backgrounds in order to provide a safe and non-stereotyped maternity care. Hence, this study recommends that clinicians need to overcome both cultural and language barriers in order to provide optimum care.