Navigating Maternity Care: Perinatal Journeys of Migrant Indian Women in Aotearoa New Zealand

Globally, migrant mothers experience poorer maternal outcomes. Perinatal care can play a central role in enabling better outcomes, including access, cultural responsiveness and education. This study explored the perinatal journeys of Indian migrant women in Wellington, New Zealand, using focus groups and reflexive thematic analysis. Findings follow three themes: (1) “from migration to motherhood: ‘When you don’t know, you don’t know’”; (2) clinical encounters: Invisible, silenced, and disrespected; and (3) “beyond birth: The overlooked realities of postpartum care.” Results reveal systemic gaps and call for culturally respectful, equitable maternity care and policy reforms to improve outcomes.