Purpose: To describe Somali immigrant women's health care experiences and beliefs regarding pregnancy and birth. Design: Four focus group interviews were conducted using a convenience sample of Somali women who were pregnant or had recently delivered. Qualitative thematic content analysis was used. Findings: Six major themes emerged: pregnancy as a natural experience for women, value and relevance of prenatal care, lack of control and familiarity with delivery in the United States, balancing the desire to breastfeed with practical concerns and barriers, discomfort with mental health issues, and challenges in the healthcare system. Discussion and Conclusions: Somali immigrant women perceive, interpret, and react to Western health practices from a perspective that includes their cultural, religious, and “scientific” beliefs. Implications for Practice and Research: Implications include cultural competency workshops. Educational materials and prenatal education sessions that support the women's needs have been developed for this population and should be a focus of future research. © 2012, SAGE Publications. All rights reserved.

Cultural sensitivity Somali women's health Prenatal care Focus group interview maternal/child

cultural anthropology Cultural Diversity psychological aspect Islam human statistics health service Time Factors Cultural Competency ethnology cultural competence religion qualitative research United States Humans Emigrants and Immigrants female Appointments and Schedules pregnancy Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice women's health Article adult migration Somalia maternal welfare hospital management Maternal Health Services attitude to health recording Tape Recording time