We conducted a qualitative study that explored the views and perceptions of migrant women in, Dandenong, Victoria, Australia about sociocultural barriers and health needs during pregnancy and in the postnatal period. The study was informed by the Social Identity Theory and the Acculturation Theory. It involved five focus group discussions with 35 migrant mothers from Afghanistan, Africa, China, Palestine, Lebanon, Syria, Iran and Jordan. Five themes emerged from the analysis: (1) the need for family support and complex social environments; (2) dealing with two cultural identities; (3) the health of mother and offspring; (4) access to the health system; and (5) life-skills for better health. Pregnancy and motherhood are challenges that are made more difficult by migration. The findings point towards the need for policies and interventions: (1) to reduce the negative impact of social isolation and lack of support during pregnancy and postnatally; (2) to support greater fathers' involvement in childcare; and (3) to reconcile different practices and expectations between traditional cultures and Australian norms. They also suggest a need to test culturally competent interventions that address health and lifestyle needs in migrant women and education programs for mothers that effectively address their concerns about maternal and child health. © 2013 Springer Science+Business Media New York.

Australia Views and perceptions Ante-natal care Maternal and child health Qualitative study Pregnancy and postnatal care Postnatal care migrant women Migrant mothers

information processing Needs Assessment prenatal care Australia health disparity Health Status Disparities human epidemiology Victoria qualitative research Young Adult Humans female preschool child Child, Preschool Child Welfare pregnancy Mothers adult mother migration maternal welfare postnatal care Transients and Migrants Focus Groups