“Is it worth having a baby in Canada?”: Understanding the Postpartum Experiences of Immigrant First-time Mothers
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Authors
Sookhoo, Leah
Date
2024-08-29
Type
thesis
Language
eng
Keyword
Nursing , Maternal , Mother , Culture , Canada , Experiences , South Asian , Postpartum
Alternative Title
Abstract
Background: Maternal and infant well-being is a global priority however, in Canada, the cultural needs of immigrant mothers are not always adequately addressed. Despite efforts to support postpartum mothers, there are gaps in the delivery of health care that is tailored to the unique needs of immigrant first-time mothers during the postpartum period. As Canada's immigrant population continues to grow, there is an increasing need for postpartum care that recognizes and addresses the intersectionality of cultural and gendered factors.
Research question: What are the postpartum experiences of South Asian immigrant first-time mothers in Ottawa, Ontario?
Methodology: Feminist Poststructuralism was used to explore how historical, social, and institutional discourses influenced the postpartum experiences of immigrant first-time mothers. Data collection involved 60-minute semi-structured interviews via telephone and Zoom©. Feminist Poststructuralist Discourse Analysis (Aston, 2016) was utilized to deconstruct textual data to explore power relations, identities, and discourses as they related to postpartum experiences.
Findings: Three main themes emerged: Negotiating expectations and realities of postpartum care: ‘You expect a higher level of care’, Balancing South Asian Cultural Identity: ‘I don’t want her to feel left out, and Motherhood: ‘It takes effort, it takes thinking, [it] takes a lot of love’.
Conclusion: This study highlights the need for culturally sensitive and gender-inclusive postpartum care. Findings may be used by nurses and other health care providers, to inform culturally safe and gender-inclusive postpartum care practices, guidelines, policies, and research. Addressing the specific needs of South Asian immigrant first-time mothers can enhance the quality of care and support provided.
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ProQuest PhD and Master's Theses International Dissemination Agreement
Intellectual Property Guidelines at Queen's University
Copying and Preserving Your Thesis
This publication is made available by the authority of the copyright owner solely for the purpose of private study and research and may not be copied or reproduced except as permitted by the copyright laws without written authority from the copyright owner.
Attribution 4.0 International