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Women from culturally diverse backgrounds often face challenges during pregnancy due to their background. Their access to healthcare support is reduced, and they experience heightened feelings of loneliness, distress, and fear. To address the sociocultural barriers these expectant mothers may encounter, a new study has developed a culturally sensitive antenatal care programme. The researchers recognised the complexity and diversity of culture and therefore set a focus on flexibility, individual adaptability, and community inclusion. The final intervention consists of four rounds, considering women’s needs and cultural traditions. This approach enables healthcare providers to integrate culturally sensitive antenatal care into existing mainstream procedures, ultimately improving the health of mothers and their children.

The time during pregnancy (antenatal) and around birth (perinatal) can be challenging, not only physically but mentally. This applies particularly for women from culturally diverse backgrounds who may lack traditional support networks such as family and friends living far away. They experience higher rates of perinatal distress or depression, feeling lonely and isolated, which can lead to adverse maternal and child outcomes. In addition, these mothers are less likely to engage with healthcare services due to sociocultural or structural barriers and the fear to not being able to uphold cultural practices.

To address this, a new study from Australia aimed to develop antenatal social interventions with a particular focus on fostering social connections, enhancing mental well-being, and improving access to culturally appropriate care. These interventions were designed to be implemented in existing service structures.

Understanding cultural challenges

Despite the clear need for such interventions, developing a culturally sensitive programme presents significant challenges. Cultural expectations, language barriers, and differing health beliefs must all be carefully considered. The study used a participatory action research approach to co-design the intervention in collaboration with healthcare professionals and community stakeholders, ensuring that the needs and preferences of parents and families from diverse backgrounds are met. This is important as researchers found that many existing support services do not align with the cultural norms and needs of these pregnant women from different backgrounds.

A key takeaway was that group-based interventions may not always be culturally acceptable as historic events or power dynamics could lead to women feeling uncomfortable in a group setting together. In other cases, it might not be culturally appropriate to participate in group interventions. The researchers concluded that deep cultural sensitivity means understanding the women’s perception of health and wellbeing. Consequently, they arrived at the conclusion that interventions should be flexibly tailored to the background and needs of the participants, rather than developing a one-size-fits-all programme. Thus, community inclusion is key.

The adaptive antenatal support intervention

A structured yet flexible four-session antenatal support programme was designed, and is to be co-facilitated by midwives, child and family health specialists, and mental health clinicians.

Session 1: Physical, emotional, and social well-being during pregnancy

Session 2: Accessing healthcare and support services

Session 3: Cultural traditions surrounding childbirth and postnatal care

Session 4: Building confidence and social connections as new parents

The study points out the commitment of healthcare professionals to provide integrated care to expectant mothers from diverse backgrounds. The engagement and consideration for cultural sensitivity of healthcare personnel is remarkable given the lack of inclusive and community-driven approaches to antenatal care.

The pilot programme represents an important step towards reducing perinatal distress and ensuring that all parents, regardless of background, receive the support they need.

Paper available at: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/hex.70135

Ful list of authors: Sophie Isobel, Kahala Dixon, Alison Tutt, Bridget Clay, Sylvia Lim-Gibson

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/hex.70135