Immigrant women’s experiences with Norwegian maternal health services: implications for policy and practice

Abstract

Purpose Navigating a health system which differs considerably from one’s own can be a challenging process. Navigating this in seeking maternal health care can be additionally daunting. This article explores how immigrant women from diverse countries and ethnic backgrounds experienced and navigated the Norwegian maternal health service during pregnancy and childbirth. Method Eleven semi-structured interviews collected between 2019 to 2020 and analysed thematically informed this analysis. Findings Principles of universalism underpinning all social and health policy in Norway, expect equality of service provision and access. These principles result in less individual choice. The women in this study found these contrary to their expectations of care but responded differently, with some experiencing the health provision as liberating while others distrusted that they were receiving the best care. A focus of concern was the expectation of more medicalized services. While some of these women used their own resources to circumvent the Norwegian health provisions, the implications for the health system extend beyond these women’s experiences. Conclusions The analysis suggests a need to encourage those whose expectations of care differ to build trust in institutions providing care. This article contributes to knowledge on the implications of diversity on Norway’s universal health system.

Keywords

• childbirth
• immigrant women
• maternal health
• medicalization
• norway
• pregnancy
• universalism