Motherhood and Childbirth Experiences among Newcomer Women in Canada

Motherhood and childbirth are very sensitive experiences and have a strong impact on family functioning, social identity, and cohesiveness. This book used a critical ethnographic study to explore 16 newcomer women’s experiences and understandings of motherhood and childbirth in the aftermath of migration to Canada. Although the women in this study expressed different meanings of motherhood and childbirth experiences, most of them agreed that it was happy, unforgettable, and worth their sacrifices. As well, the women identified some challenges they faced on becoming mothers. Women also demonstrated strengths and employed a number of strategies to deal with the stress of the changes associated with becoming a mother in Canada. Women expressed mixed opinions and experiences about the care they received from health care system in Canada. Findings from this study provide insight to inform nursing practice, education, research, and policy making with regards to newcomer women’s experiences during the process of childbirth, and as new mothers in a new land. This study provides information that enhances the ability of nurses to provide safe care.