INTRODUCTION: Australia is a land of cultural diversity. Cultural differences in maternity care may result in conflict between migrants and healthcare providers, especially when migrants have minimal English language knowledge. The aim of the study was to investigate Asian migrant women's child-birth experiences in a rural Australian context. METHOD: The study consisted of semi-structured interviews conducted with 10 Asian migrant women living in rural Tasmania to explore their childbirth experiences and the barriers they faced in accessing maternal care in the new land. The data were analysed using grounded theory and three main categories were identified: 'migrants with traditional practices in the new land', 'support and postnatal experiences' and 'barriers to accessing maternal care'. RESULTS: The findings revealed that Asian migrants in Tasmania faced language and cultural barriers when dealing with the new healthcare system. Because some Asian migrants retain traditional views and practices for maternity care, confusion and conflicting expectations may occur. Family and community play an important role in supporting migrant women through their maternity care. CONCLUSIONS: Providing interpreting services, social support for migrant women and improving the cross-cultural training for healthcare providers were recommended to improve available maternal care services.

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cultural anthropology Cultural Diversity birth Asian Australia psychological aspect methodology Tasmania nursing methodology research human Asian continental ancestry group health service Adaptation, Psychological social support Cultural Competency ethnology cultural competence qualitative research Health Services Needs and Demand Humans family Acculturation female adaptive behavior questionnaire pregnancy cultural factor Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice Article organization and management Questionnaires migration postnatal care Transients and Migrants Parturition Maternal Health Services attitude to health rural health care Health Services Accessibility health care delivery Rural Health Services