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Experiences of Racism in Maternity Care

In recent years, racial discrimination in healthcare, including maternity care, has gained attention through research and media reports. Migrant women and those from minority backgrounds often report lower satisfaction, citing bias, stereotyping, and unequal treatment.

The Maternity Consumer Network is committed to understanding these disparities and finding solutions. This survey seeks real experiences from maternity care consumers and providers to identify gaps and improve maternity services.

Your responses will inform advocacy, research, training, and policy recommendations. The survey is anonymous and confidential.

Thank you for sharing your experiences and insights

Definition of Racism

Definition of Antisemitism

Definition of Islamophobia

Have you personally experienced or witnessed racial discrimination in maternity care?

Yes - personally experienced

Yes - witnessed

No

Unsure

If you experienced or witnessed racial discrimination in maternity care, what type did you encounter? (Select all that apply)

Racism

Antisemitism

Islamophobia

Stereotyping (e.g., assumptions about health, behaviour, or beliefs based on your race/ethnicity/religion)

Discriminatory treatment (e.g., receiving lower-quality care or being ignored)

Lack of cultural or religious understanding (e.g., refusal to accommodate cultural or religious practices, such as dietary needs or birthing traditions)

Verbal abuse or microaggressions from healthcare staff

Profiling (e.g., being labeled as “high-risk” based on race/ethnicity/religion)

Other

Can you share a brief description of your experience with racial discrimination in maternity care?

Please identify the hospital/maternity service (include state & country)

Do you have concerns about racial discrimination (racism or antisemitism) in Australian maternity care?

Yes

No

Unsure

Do you believe that maternity care providers in Australia are adequately trained to provide culturally sensitive care?

Yes, they are well-trained

Somewhat, but there is room for improvement

No, they are not adequately trained

Unsure

Have you ever avoided or delayed seeking maternity care due to concerns about racial discrimination, racism or antisemitism?

Yes

No

N/A

What changes would you like to see in maternity care to improve cultural safety and reduce racial discrimination?

Would you like to be involved in advocacy or future discussions on improving maternity care for diverse communities?

If you would like to be contacted for further discussions, please provide your name and email

What is your age?

In what capacity are you responding to this survey? (Select all that apply)

Birthing woman (maternity care consumer)

Partner of a birthing woman

Family member of someone who experienced racial discrimination in maternity care

Community member

Midwife

Doctor

Other - please describe

Were you born in Australia?

Yes

No (please specify country of birth):

Where were your parents born? (Select all that apply)

Both parents born in Australia

One parent born in Australia, one parent born overseas (specify country)

Both parents born overseas (specify country below)

If one or both parents were born overseas, please specify the country

How do you identify ethnically/racially?

What is your religious or cultural background?

If you would like to provide more details about your experience or concerns, please email us at management@maternityconsumernetwork.org.au

Thank you for participating in our survey. If you are a maternity care provider or hospital, please consider completing our Culturally Sensitive Maternity Care training. Contact us for more information.

Maternity Consumer Network

Australia's leading maternity advocacy organisation.

Email:

management@maternityconsumernetwork.org.au

Email for support with complaints (Emilia):

support@maternityconsumernetwork.org.au

Phone:

Founder/ Media (Alecia): 0401 033 348

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Enter your email here

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Quick Links

© 2024 Maternity Consumer Network

Feedback on National Pregnancy Care Guidelines

June, 2017

Read more about the Guidelines here.

Submission to UN Special Rapporteur :Mistreatment and Violence Against Women During Reproductive Health Care with a Focus on Childbirth

May, 2019

Read more about the Special Rapporteur here.

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