Women of Color’s Perinatal Experiences: New Insights from a Large Qualitative Study in New Jersey

Abstract

Disparities in maternal health experiences and outcomes are a critical public health problem in the United States. For this large, qualitative study, ninety-six women of color who gave birth within the past three years were interviewed by community researchers. Participants shared in depth information about their experiences throughout the perinatal period. Participants largely felt prenatal care was accessible to them, though some struggled with costs associated with transportation. While many study participants reported positive experiences with accessing healthcare and interacting with healthcare providers, a subset of participants reported experiences of stereotyping and discrimination. Access to insurance was not a barrier to care for most, and participants had good experiences navigating pregnancy and family leave at their place of employment. Social supports, both interpersonal and organization, were seen positively, and offer opportunities to reach more birthing people throughout the perinatal period. Participants recommended continued investments in insurance coverage and efforts to mitigate or end discrimination experienced while seeking health care.