In addition to facing barriers to health care and experiencing poor health status, immigrants to Canada and Sweden tend to have more negative birth outcomes than the native-born population, including low birth weight and perinatal mortality rates. Explored through interviews with health care professionals, including midwives, nurse practitioners, social workers and obstetrician gynaecologists, this paper evaluates their experiences in providing prenatal care to immigrants in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. Results reveal the complexity of delivering care to immigrants, particularly with respect to expectations surrounding language, culture and type and professionalism of care. The paper concludes by discussing future research options and implications for the delivery of prenatal care to this population. © 2011 Taylor & Francis.

Immigrant Canada Prenatal health care

cultural anthropology prenatal care psychological aspect human health service health status language Cultural Competency cultural competence Health Services Needs and Demand health personnel attitude Attitude of Health Personnel Sweden Humans Canada Emigrants and Immigrants female pregnancy patient satisfaction women's health Article Ontario awareness migration Health Services Accessibility Culture health care delivery