Prenatal care experiences of first-time mothers navigating socioeconomic challenges during pregnancy in New Brunswick: a qualitative descriptive study.

Background: Mothers facing socioeconomic challenges encounter substantial barriers to consistent, quality prenatal care, essential for reducing adverse birth outcomes. This study explores the barriers and facilitators to accessing prenatal care experienced by socioeconomically disadvantaged first-time mothers in New Brunswick, Canada.

Methods: A qualitative design was used to examine prenatal care experiences among first-time mothers facing socioeconomic disadvantage in New Brunswick. Participants were recruited between February and March 2024 through community organizations, including Family Resource Centres, using purposive sampling. Semi-structured interviews were conducted, transcribed, and analyzed thematically using NVivo 14.

Results: Four key themes emerged from the experiences of 11 participants: (i) structural challenges and discontinuity disrupt prenatal healthcare delivery; (ii) social and physical distance constrain access to prenatal services; (iii) prenatal care experiences amplify the emotional dimensions of pregnancy and birth; and (iv) relational interactions shape prenatal service access and quality. Participants described systemic issues including provider shortages, fragmented care, and long wait times. Geographic barriers particularly affected rural participants, creating travel burdens and limiting service access. Emotional dimensions of care were influenced by provider interactions, with negative experiences eroding trust and positive interactions providing emotional anchoring. Informal networks and community-based organizations served as critical facilitators, providing accessible support and bridging gaps in formal systems.

Conclusions: Socioeconomically disadvantaged first-time mothers face compounding barriers to prenatal care in New Brunswick. Addressing these disparities requires integrated public health approaches that coordinate care across providers and settings, expand community-based services, and reduce geographic and financial barriers. Participants relied primarily on informal networks and community organizations rather than formal programs, highlighting needs for improved outreach and service integration to better support vulnerable mothers during pregnancy.