Little is known about the maternity experiences of migrant mothers in Aotearoa/New Zealand--and in particular the ways in which women adapt and survive when separated from traditional postnatal practices and family support. This paper reports on a study of the maternity care experiences of women from Goa (India) in Auckland, New Zealand. Multiple research strategies were incorporated into the process to prevent reproduction of deficiency discourses. Interviews were carried out with Goan women who had experiences of migration and motherhood. The findings revealed that as a consequence of motherhood and migration, migrant mothers were able to reclaim and re-invent innovative solutions. Nurses and other health professionals can have a significant role in supporting women and their families undergoing the transition to parenthood in a new country and develop their knowledge and understanding of this dual transition.

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Needs Assessment education Ceremonial Behavior political system India psychological aspect nursing methodology research Transcultural Nursing conflict human Internal-External Control control social support ethnology qualitative research colonialism health personnel attitude Attitude of Health Personnel nurse attitude Nurse's Role Humans traditional medicine Medicine, Traditional female Behavior questionnaire self concept Mothers Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice Article organization and management Questionnaires symbolism mother migration New Zealand standard Choice Behavior Emigration and Immigration transcultural care Conflict (Psychology) Transients and Migrants postnatal care decision making Power (Psychology) attitude to health