The impact of health policies on immigrant women's experiences of maternal health services in the United Kingdom and Canada: A qualitative systematic review and meta-synthesis.

Abstract

The perinatal period is a critical time for the health of women, during which delays or limited access to care can have serious consequences. For immigrant women, this period is marked by multiple barriers exacerbated by restrictive policies. With rising immigration to countries such as the UK and Canada, we examined immigrant women's experiences of maternal healthcare. We conducted a Boolean search across four databases (Medline, Embase, CINAHL, Global Health) from January 2000 to November 10, 2025. We identified thirty-three eligible studies, involving over 1000 migrant women of various immigration statuses, to determine commonalities in experiences. Through thematic analysis, we identified three core themes: (1) autonomy and perception of self, (2) satisfaction and concept of trust, and (3) intersecting stressors. Together, the subthemes capture the complex factors influencing experiences and highlight the need for more inclusive, and culturally sensitive policies that better support pregnant immigrant women and improve perinatal outcomes.