Background - It has been well documented that there is a higher rate of adverse maternal outcomes amongst BAME (Black and Minority Ethnic) women compared to white women. The rate of maternal mortality, for example, is four times higher and two times higher in Black and Asian women, respectively. Additionally, UK wide confidential enquiries have found that up to 52% of these poor outcomes could have been improved by improvements in clinical care.

 

Aim- To understand BAME women’s experience of antenatal education, and gain their perspective on how this could be improved.

 

Methods - Qualitative thematic analysis using Braun and Clarke of nine interviews conducted with BAME women postnatally regarding their experiences and expectations of antenatal care and education. Women interviewed delivered between 2020-2021 at a maternity unit in the South West of England

Results - Core themes were interpreted from the interviews. Emerging themes were: communication, accessibility, individualised care and cultural literacy. 

Conclusion - Many of the expectations BAME women have for their antenatal care and education are universal but their unique experiences mean that they also have specific requirements. The study underscores the need for targeted strategies to improve antenatal education which are informed directly from these women’s lived experiences. Recommendations include development of a more flexible and accessible antenatal education programme, equipping staff with improved cultural competency, promoting individualised care and implementing structural reforms to address bias and access barriers