Experiences Of Perinatal Care Research Articles

Wait, What? What's Going On?- Pregnancy Experiences of Deaf and Hard of Hearing Mothers Who Do Not Sign.

Deaf and hard of hearing (DHH) women experience higher rates of reproductive healthcare barriers and adverse birth outcomes compared to their hearing peers. This study explores the pregnancy experiences of DHH women who do not sign to better understand their barriers and facilitators to optimal perinatal health care. Qualitative study using thematic analysis. Semi-structured, individual remote, or in-person interviews in the United States. Twenty-two DHH English speakers (non-signers) who gave birth in the United States within the past 5 years. Semi-structured interviews explored how DHH women experienced pregnancy and birth, including access to perinatal information and resources, relationships with healthcare providers, communication access, and their involvement with the healthcare system throughout pregnancy. A thematic analysis was conducted. The barriers and facilitators related to a positive perinatal care experience among DHH women. Five key themes emerged. For barriers, healthcare communication breakdowns and loss of patient autonomy highlighted DHH women's struggle with perinatal health care. In contrast, DHH participants outlined the importance of accessible health communication practices and accommodations, use of patient advocacy or self-advocacy, and assistive technologies for DHH parents for more positive perinatal care experiences. Perinatal healthcare providers and staff should routinely inquire about ways to ensure an inclusive and accessible healthcare experience for their DHH patients and provide communication accommodations for optimal care. Additionally, healthcare providers should be more aware of the unique parenting needs and resources of their DHH patients.

“It seemed like she just wanted me to suffer”: Acts of obstetric racism and birthing rights violations against Black women

IntroductionStudies that examine obstetric violence and mistreatment during perinatal care demonstrate that Black women experience higher levels of harm and abuse than other racialized groups. Yet these gender-based concepts do not fully recognize the intersectional gender-and race-based harms that Black women experience within the context of quality, safety, and human rights violations in the U.S. healthcare system. MethodsWe performed qualitative secondary analysis from Black women participants in the Giving Voice to Mothers (GVtM) study (n = 304). Primary data collection for the GVtM survey spanned from 2016 to 2017, and our analysis occurred in 2023, focusing on the interpretation of open-ended responses to three categories of inquiry: worst experiences with perinatal care, experiences of being pressured to undergo medical interventions, and desired revisions to birthing experiences. We employed a deductive approach and applied two analytic frameworks – obstetric racism and the Black Birthing Bill of Rights (BBBR)– to categorize Black women's narratives of harm during perinatal care as quality, safety, and human rights violations. ResultsBlack women described perinatal care experiences with considerable violations of the BBBR, including disrupted time with babies, racially discordant care, and unaffordable care. These experiences illustrated all six domains of obstetric racism. ConclusionThis study contributes to an emerging body of Black feminist approaches to knowledge production in obstetric patient safety, emphasizing the critical intersection of gender and race. Furthermore, this study underscores the value of using Black-women-defined frameworks with typologies to interpret the distinct experiences of Black women instead of the more limited gender-based concepts of obstetric violence, mistreatment, and respectful maternity care that lack historical context and contemporary implications of anti-Black racism and misogynoir.

Maternal birthplace and experiences of perinatal healthcare in Belgium: Evidence from a cross-sectional survey

BackgroundPatient experience is an important part of perinatal care quality. Migrant women in high-income countries often report more negative experiences than non-migrants, but evidence in Europe is patchy. In this study, we compared the experiences of two migrant populations with non-migrants, taking into account socioeconomic characteristics. MethodsWe surveyed mothers born in Belgium, North-Africa, and Sub-Saharan Africa (n = 877) using an adapted version of the Migrant-Friendly Maternity Care Questionnaire. Two patient experience scores were created using multiple correspondence analyses: a) information and communication with healthcare professionals and overall satisfaction with pregnancy care, and b) patient-centred aspects and satisfaction with delivery care. Through descriptive analyses and multivariable logistic regressions we estimated the associations of maternal characteristics with each score. ResultsOverall, positive experiences were reported in terms of communication (83 %) and patient-centred care (86 %). North African immigrants with low language proficiency had higher odds of negative communication experience (especially problems understanding information) (ORa: 2.30, 95 %CI 1.17–4.50), regardless of socioeconomic position. Among women with language barriers, 88 % were never offered a professional interpreter, relying on family members for translation. Patient-centred care was not associated with maternal birth region but was rated more negatively by older mothers, those with longer residence in Belgium, and higher majority-language proficiency. ConclusionIn Belgium, perinatal care experiences were generally positive, although communication with immigrants was suboptimal. Language barriers, single motherhood, and unstable housing increased communication issues. Our findings underline the necessity to improve information-exchange with immigrants and socioeconomically vulnerable women.

Listening to Black Women's Perspectives of Birth Centers and Midwifery Care: Advocacy, Protection, and Empowerment.

Black women in Texas experience high rates of adverse maternal outcomes that have been linked to health inequities and structural racism in the maternal care system. Birth centers and midwifery care are highlighted in the literature as contributing to improved perinatal care experiences and decreased adverse outcomes for Black women. However, compared with White women, Black women underuse birth centers and midwifery care. Black women's perceptions in Texas of birth center and midwifery care are underrepresented in research. Thus, this study aimed to highlight the views of Black women residing in Texas on birth centers and midwifery care to identify their needs and explore ways to increasing access to perinatal care. Semistructured interviews were conducted with 10 pregnant and postpartum Black women residing in Texas. Questions focused on the women's access, knowledge, and use of birth centers and midwifery care in the context of their lived maternal care experiences. Interview transcripts were reviewed and analyzed using inductive, qualitative content analysis. The Black women interviewed all shared experiences of discrimination and bias while receiving obstetric care that affected their interest in and overall perceptions of birth center and midwifery care. Participants also discussed financial and institutional barriers that impacted their ease of access to birth center and midwifery care services. Additionally, participants highlighted the need for culturally sensitive and respectful perinatalhealth care. The Black women interviewed in this study emphasized the prevalence of racism and discrimination in perinatal health care encounters, a reflection consistent with current literature. Black women also expressed a desire to use birth centers and midwifery care but identified the barriers in Texas that impede access. Study findings highlight the need to address barriers to promote equitable perinatal health care access for Black women.

In search of respect and continuity of care: Hungarian women's experiences with midwifery-led, community birth.

To describe and compare intervention rates and experiences of respectful care when Hungarian women opt to give birth in the community. We conducted a cross-sectional online survey (N = 1257) in 2014. We calculated descriptive statistics comparing obstetric procedure rates, respectful care indicators, and autonomy (MADM scale) across four models of care (public insurance; chosen doctor or chosen midwife in the public system; private midwife-led community birth). We used an intention-to-treat approach. After adjusting for social and clinical covariates, we used logistic regression to estimate the odds of obstetric procedures and disrespectful care and linear regression to estimate the level of autonomy (MADM scale). In the sample, 99 (7.8%) saw a community midwife for prenatal care. Those who planned community births had the lowest rates of cesarean at 9.1% (public: 30.4%; chosen doctor: 45.2%; chosen midwife 16.5%), induced labor at 7.1% (public: 23.1%; chosen doctor: 26.0%; chosen midwife: 19.4%), and episiotomy at 4.44% (public: 62.3%; chosen doctor: 66.2%; chosen midwife: 44.9%). Community birth clients reported the lowest rates of disrespectful care at 25.5% (public: 64.3%; chosen doctor: 44.3%; chosen midwife: 38.7%) and the highest average MADM score at 31.5 (public: 21.2; chosen doctor: 25.5; chosen midwife: 28.6). In regression analysis, community midwifery clients had significantly reduced odds of cesarean (0.35, 95% CI 0.16-0.79), induced labor (0.27, 95% CI 0.11-0.67), episiotomy (0.04, 95% CI 0.01-0.12), and disrespectful care (0.36, 95% CI 0.21-0.61), while also having significantly higher average MADM scores (5.71, 95% CI 4.08-7.36). Hungarian women who plan to give birth in the community have low obstetric procedure rates and report greater respect, in line with international data on the effects of place of birth and model of care on experiences of perinatal care.

Co-Created Solutions for Perinatal Professionals and Childbearing Needs for People with Hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome and Hypermobility Spectrum Disorders.

Individuals living with hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (hEDS) and Hypermobility Spectrum Disorders (HSD) have reported feeling discredited and unsupported by healthcare professionals. However, the level of knowledge about hEDS/HSD among maternity staff remains unknown. Informed by patient and public involvement, this research aimed to investigate maternity staff's knowledge and confidence in supporting people with hEDS/HSD, examine people with hEDS/HSD's experiences of perinatal care, and co-create tools to help maternity staff support people childbearing with hEDS/HSD. Two online mixed-methods international surveys were completed by childbearing people with hEDS/HSD (N = 955) and maternity staff (N = 307). This was followed by the co-creation of three tools with 17 co-creators and a design team. Two main qualitative themes were identified through thematic analysis: (1) a need for recognition of hEDS/HSD in perinatal care and (2) the delivery of appropriate individualised perinatal care. Quantitatively, people with hEDS/HSD perceived maternity professionals to have a low level of knowledge about the conditions. Respectively, maternity staff reported low levels of confidence in supporting people with hEDS/HSD. The co-created tools provide applicable outputs for both education and practice and include an i-learn module hosted by the Royal College of Midwives, a tool for perinatal records, and infomercials.

Exploring mothers’ experiences of perinatal care in Cyprus: Babies Born Better survey

IntroductionA positive perinatal experience facilitates a smooth transition to motherhood and enhances the development of a strong bond between mother and newborn, contributing to maternal and societal wellbeing. Given the medicalization of childbirth in Cyprus, the examination of mothers’ experiences of perinatal care becomes imperative.AimTo investigate mothers’ experiences of care during the perinatal period and to identify factors related to the provision of maternal care that contribute to the interpretation of these experiences.MethodsThe study draws on data from the European survey “Babies Born Better”, an online survey utilizing a mixed-methods approach to explore women’s experiences of maternity care across Europe. The study population were women who had given birth in Cyprus over a 5-year period (2013–2018). Quantitative data were analyzed using SPSS v22, while qualitative data were analyzed through inductive content analysis.FindingsA total of 360 mothers participated in the study. In rating their overall experience, 24.2% stated that they had a “bad experience”, 11.1% a “good experience”,13.9% a “very good experience”, and 13,3% a “very bad experience”. The top three sub-factors of the overall experience which received positive evaluation were “Relationship with health care professionals” (33.6%), “Birth environment and care” (11.4%), and “Breastfeeding guidance” (10.8%). The qualitative analysis yielded five themes: “Relationship with health care professionals”, “Breastfeeding establishment”, “Childbirth rights”, “Birth environment and services” and “Choice of mode of birth”.ConclusionMothers in Cyprus wish to have respectful maternity care. They need maternity health care professionals to respect their dignity and ask for evidence-based information with shared decision making. Mothers in Cyprus expect to have their childbirth rights safeguarded, to have better support from HCP, and to receive humanized care. The perinatal care provided in Cyprus needs significant improvements based on mothers’ needs and expectations.

“It was just one moment that I felt like I was being judged”: Pregnant and postpartum black Women's experiences of personal and group-based racism during the COVID-19 pandemic

BackgroundRacial inequities in maternal and child health outcomes persist: Black women and birthing people experience higher rates of adverse outcomes than their white counterparts. Similar inequities are seen in coronavirus disease (COVID-19) mortality rates. In response, we sought to explore the intersections of racism and the COVID-19 pandemic impact on the daily lives and perinatal care experiences of Black birthing people. MethodsWe used an intrinsic case study approach grounded in an intersectional lens to collect stories from Black pregnant and postpartum people residing in Fresno County (July–September 2020). All interviews were conducted on Zoom without video and were audio recorded and transcribed. Thematic analysis was used to group codes into larger themes. ResultsOf the 34 participants included in this analysis, 76.5% identified as Black only, and 23.5% identified as multiracial including Black. Their mean age was 27.2 years [SD, 5.8]. Nearly half (47%) reported being married or living with their partner; all were eligible for Medi-Cal insurance. Interview times ranged from 23 to 96 min. Five themes emerged: (1) Tensions about Heightened Exposure of Black Lives Matter Movement during the pandemic; (2) Fear for Black Son's Safety; (3) Lack of Communication from Health Care Professionals; (4) Disrespect from Health Care Professionals; and (5) Misunderstood or Judged by Health Care Professionals. Participants stressed that the Black Lives Matter Movement is necessary and highlighted that society views their Black sons as a threat. They also reported experiencing unfair treatment and harassment while seeking perinatal care. ConclusionsBlack women and birthing people shared that exposure to racism has heightened during the COVID-19 pandemic, increasing their levels of stress and anxiety. Understanding how racism impacts Black birthing people's lives and care experiences is critical to reforming the police force and revising enhanced prenatal care models to better address their needs.

Newcomer Women's Experiences with Perinatal Care During the Three-Month Health Insurance Waiting Period in Ontario, Canada.

The three-month health insurance waiting period in Ontario reinforces health inequities for newcomer women and their babies. Little is known about the systemic factors that shape newcomer women's experiences during the OHIP waiting period. To examine the factors that shaped newcomer women's experiences with perinatal care during the three-month health insurance waiting period in Ontario, Canada. This qualitative study was informed by an intersectional framework, and guided by a critical ethnographic method. Individual interviews were conducted with four newcomer women and three perinatal healthcare professionals. Participant observations at recruitment and interview sites were integral to the study design. The key systemic factors that shaped newcomer women's experiences with perinatal care included social identity, migration, and the healthcare system. Social identities related to gender, race, and socio-economic status intersected to form a social location, which converged with newcomer women's experiences of social isolation and exclusion. These experiences, in turn, intersected with Ontario's problematic perinatal health services. Together, these factors form systems of oppression for newcomer women in the perinatal period. Given the health inequities that can result from these systems of oppression, it is important to adopt an upstream approach that is informed by the Human Rights Code of Ontario to improve accessibility to and the experiences of perinatal care for newcomer women.

Birth includes us: Development of a community-led survey to capture experiences of pregnancy care among LGBTQ2S+ families.

Limited research captures the intersectional and nuanced experiences of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, two-spirit, and other sexual and gender-minoritized (LGBTQ2S+) people when accessing perinatal care services, including care for pregnancy, birth, abortion, and/or pregnancy loss. We describe the participatory research methods used to develop the Birth Includes Us survey, an online survey study to capture experiences of respectful perinatal care for LGBTQ2S+ individuals. From 2019 to 2021, our research team in collaboration with a multi-stakeholder Community Steering Council identified, adapted, and/or designed survey items which were reviewed and then content validated by community members with lived experience. The final survey instrument spans the perinatal care experience, from preconception to early parenthood, and includes items to capture experiences of care across different pregnancy roles (eg, pregnant person, partner/co-parent, intended parent using surrogacy) and pregnancy outcomes (eg, live birth, stillbirth, miscarriage, and abortion). Three validated measures of respectful perinatal care are included, as well as measures to assess experiences of racism, discrimination, and bias across intersections of identity. By centering diverse perspectives in the review process, the Birth Includes Us instrument is the first survey to assess the range of experiences within LGBTQ2S+ communities. This instrument is ready for implementation in studies that seek to examine geographic and identity-based perinatal health outcomes and care experiences among LGBTQ2S+ people.

“It’s Total Erasure”: Trans and Nonbinary Peoples’ Experiences of Cisnormativity Within Perinatal Care Services in Aotearoa New Zealand

Transgender and nonbinary (trans) people can face unique barriers to accessing gender-inclusive perinatal care. The present study explored trans people’s experiences of perinatal care in Aotearoa New Zealand. A thematic analysis of 17 interviews with trans people and their whānau identified seven themes regarding the operation and impact of cisnormativity on participants’ family-building journeys. Findings indicate that cisnormativity manifests as an erasure of gender diversity and creates barriers to affirming and safe care. Importantly, participants’ constant negotiation of cisnormativity in perinatal care had enduring impacts on their well-being. Addressing cisnormativity is fundamental to securing trans reproductive justice.

Giving Birth in the Early Phases of the COVID-19 Pandemic: The Patient Experience.

ObjectiveObstetrical patients are at risk of complications from COVID-19 and face increased stress due to the pandemic and changes in hospital birth setting. The objective was to describe the perinatal care experiences of obstetrical patients who gave birth during the early phases of the COVID-19 pandemic.MethodsA descriptive epidemiological survey was administered to consenting patients who gave birth at The Ottawa Hospital (TOH) between March 16th and June 16th, 2020. The participants reported on prenatal, in-hospital, and postpartum care experiences. COVID-19 pandemic related household stress factors were investigated. Frequencies and percentages are presented for categorical variables and median and interquartile range (IQR) for continuous variables.ResultsA total of 216 participants were included in the analyses. Median participants age was 33 years (IQR: 30–36). Collectively, 94 (43.5%) participants felt elevated stress for prenatal appointments and 105 (48.6%) for postpartum appointments because of COVID-19. There were 108 (50.0%) were scared to go to the hospital for delivery, 97 (44.9%) wore a mask during labour and 54 (25.0%) gave birth without a support person. During postpartum care, 125 (57.9%) had phone appointments (not offered prior to COVID-19), and 18 (8.3%) received no postpartum care at all.ConclusionCOVID-19 pandemic and public health protocols created a stressful healthcare environment for the obstetrical population where many were fearful of accessing services, experienced changes to standard care, or no care at all. As the pandemic continues, careful attention should be given to the perinatal population to reduce stress and improve continuity of care.Supplementary InformationThe online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s10995-022-03495-2.

Perinatal care experiences of immigrant Syrian women: a qualitative phenomenological study.

Adverse birth outcomes of immigrant women and neonates are associated with the quality of perinatal care. For this reason, examining immigrant women's experiences of perinatal care is necessary if host country care systems are to respond appropriately to migration. The aim of the study was to evaluate the perinatal care experiences of immigrant women. The qualitative phenomenological design used in the study enabled to make an in-depth exploration of immigrant women's experiences. The participants were 24 women who had a pregnancy within the past 6 months and lived in Adana, Turkey, between September and December 2019. Data were collected using a semi-structured form through the snowball method. Qualitative data were analysed using the thematic analysis method. The participants' mean age was 21.41 [standard deviation (SD) 3.86] years. Mean age at first pregnancy was 17.27 (SD 4.59) years. It was determined that immigrant women received insufficient maternity services. In thematic analysis, 4 main themes indicating barriers to sufficient perinatal care were identified. The barriers to maternal care services were: language barrier, cultural incompatibility, decreased social support and inadequate information. Our findings indicated that perinatal care for immigrant women was inadequate and their experiences were generally negative. Although the barriers seem separate, they are actually intertwined, with the language barrier appearing to be the main one. Innovative approaches are needed to solve this problem. Mobile applications that translate instantly can be used by both immigrant women and health care professionals.

A Socio-Ecological Approach to Understanding the Perinatal Care Experiences of People with Intellectual and/or Developmental Disabilities in Ontario, Canada.

Accessible and quality care during the perinatal period is critical for optimal maternal and neonatal health. Using the socio-ecological model, the purpose of this study was to explore barriers and facilitators that shape the perinatal care experiences of people with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities (IDD). Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 10 individuals with IDD in Ontario, Canada, who had given birth within the past 5years. Interviews focused on care experiences before, during, and after pregnancy. Data were analyzed using a directed content analysis approach, and the socio-ecological model guided analysis. Barriers at the societal (e.g., cultural norms of motherhood), policy/institutional (e.g., child protection policies and practices), interpersonal (e.g., inadequate formal and informal support), and intrapersonal levels (e.g., internalized stigma) contributed to participants having negative perinatal care experiences. Conversely, we identified facilitators on the interpersonal level (e.g., positive interactions with perinatal care providers and familial and social service supports) as positively shaping participants' perinatal care experiences. Findings reveal that the perinatal care experiences of people with IDD are shaped by several interrelated factors that largely stem from societal-level barriers, such as dominant (stigmatizing) discourses of disability. To improve the perinatal care experiences of people with IDD, there is a need for interventions at multiple levels. These include the development of policies to support perinatal care for diverse populations and training care providers to enact policies at the institutional and interpersonal levels.

Care Experiences of Persons With Perinatal Opioid Use: A Qualitative Study.

Opioid use in the perinatal period has escalated rapidly, with potentially devastating outcomes for perinatal persons and infants. Substance use treatment is effective and has the potential to greatly improve clinical outcomes; however, characteristics of care received from providers including nurses have been described as a barrier to treatment. Our purpose was to describe supportive perinatal care experiences of persons with opioid use disorder. A qualitative descriptive study design was used to examine experiences of 11 postpartum persons (ages 22-36 years) in medication-assisted treatment for opioid use disorder at an academic medical center in the southern region of the United States. Participants were interviewed about experiences with perinatal and neonatal care during the child's hospitalization for neonatal abstinence syndrome surveillance and/or treatment. Four themes of supportive care experiences emerged: informing, relating, accepting, and holistic supporting. Participants reported a range of positive and negative perinatal care experiences, with examples and counterexamples provided. This fuller understanding of perceptions and lived experiences of care can inform practice changes and educational/training priorities. Future research is needed to facilitate development of comprehensive care models geared to address perinatal care needs of persons with opioid use disorder.

Racial and Ethnic Minority Pregnant Patients with Low-Income Experiences of Perinatal Care: A Scoping Review.

Purpose: The maternal mortality ratio for the United States (US) has consistently risen over recent decades. This mortality is especially pronounced within minority populations who experience a maternal mortality and morbidity rate that are much higher than their non-Hispanic white counterparts. Qualitative data are critical in gaining true insight from minority pregnant and postpartum persons. Such data should serve as the basis for building interventions and programs that seek to eradicate perinatal inequities. This review examines the qualitative literature on racial and ethnic minority pregnant patients with low income and their experiences during perinatal care (PNC) to identify recurrent themes that can be addressed through targeted interventions.Methods: PubMed, CINAHL, and Web of Science databases were searched for qualitative studies on racial and ethnic minority pregnant patients with low income and their experiences during PNC. Twenty-two articles were included for analysis. Thematic synthesis was performed to identify categories and recurring themes in each article.Results: Five major categories were identified as consistent experiences of pregnant patients with PNC clinicians: support, education, connection, communication, and trust. Of these, clinician support was the most consistently coded category. Eighteen of the 23 articles discussed tangible support patients had received from their clinicians, such as care coordination and referrals to support services. The second most coded category was education, which was represented in 16 articles. Education was mostly represented negatively as lack of adequate perinatal care education given during the perinatal period. Finally, the categories of connection, communication, and trust were represented by 18, 17, and 17 articles, respectively.Conclusions: These qualitative studies provided specific examples of what racial and ethnic minority pregnant patients with low income deemed positive and negative during the perinatal period and outline ways that these experiences can be improved. Future studies can take the experiences reported in this review to help inform interventions to improve patient experiences and health outcomes that minority persons face in the perinatal period.

Mothers’ experiences of perinatal care in Belgian public hospitals: exploring the social inequalities. Protocol for a cross-sectional survey

IntroductionIn Europe, the social inequalities in perinatal health are usually found to be to the disadvantage of non-European immigrants and women with lower levels of education and income. Among the...

Mexican-Born Women's Experiences of Perinatal Care in the United States.

Mexican-born women represent a significant proportion of the obstetric patient population in California and have higher incidence of adverse obstetric outcomes than white women, including maternal postpartum hemorrhage and perinatal depression. Little is known, however, about Mexican-born women’s experiences of maternity care in the United States. Qualitative methods were used to conduct a secondary analysis of interview transcripts, field notes, original photographs, and analytic memos from a study of 7 Mexican-born women’s birth experiences. Participants reported social isolation influenced their expectations of maternity care. Disconnection, characterized by unmet physical and relational needs, yielded negative experiences of maternity care, while positive experiences were the result of attentive care wherein they felt providers cared about them as individuals.

Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Severe Maternal Morbidity: A Qualitative Study of Women's Experiences of Peripartum Care.

Racial and ethnic disparities in rates of maternal morbidity and mortality in the United States are striking and persistent. Despite evidence that variation in the quality of care contributes substantially to these disparities, we do not sufficiently understand how experiences of perinatal care differ by race and ethnicity among women with severe maternal morbidity. We conducted focus groups with women who experienced a severe maternal morbidity event in a New York City hospital during their most recent pregnancy (n=20). We organized three focus groups by self-identified race/ethnicity ([1] Black, [2] Latina, and [3] White or Asian) to detect any within- and between-group differences. Discussions were audiotaped and transcribed. The research team coded the transcripts and used content analysis to identify key themes and to compare findings across racial and ethnic groups. Participants reported distressing experiences and lasting emotional consequences after having a severe childbirth complication. Many women appreciated the life-saving care they received. However, poor continuity of care, communication gaps, and a perceived lack of attentiveness to participants' physical and emotional needs led to substantial concern and disappointment in care. Black and Latina women in particular emphasized these themes. This study highlights missed opportunities for improved clinician communication and continuity of care to address emotional trauma when severe obstetric complications occur, particularly for Black and Latina women. Enhancing communication to ensure that women feel heard and informed throughout the birth process and addressing implicit bias, as a part of the more systemic issue of institutionalized racism, could both decrease disparities in obstetric care quality and improve the patient experience for women of all races and ethnicities.

Perinatal care experiences among racially and ethnically diverse mothers whose infants required a NICU stay.

ObjectiveTo learn how diverse mothers whose babies required a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) stay evaluate their obstetric and neonatal care.Study DesignWe conducted three focus groups stratified by race/ethnicity (Black, Latina, White, and Asian women, n=20) who delivered infants at <32 weeks gestation or <1500 grams with a NICU stay. We asked women to assess perinatal care and applied classic qualitative analysis techniques to identify themes and make comparisons across groups.ResultsPredominant themes were similar across groups, including thoroughness and consistency of clinician communication, provider attentiveness, and barriers to closeness with infants. Care experiences were largely positive, but some suggested poorer communication and responsiveness toward Black and Latina mothers.ConclusionFeeling consulted and included in infant care is critical for mothers of high-risk neonates. Further in-depth research is needed to remediate differences in hospital culture and quality that contribute to disparities in neonatal care and outcomes.