A theory on intercultural caring in maternity care

To describe a theory on intercultural caring in maternity care and its development.

The theory has been developed qualitatively using hermeneutics.

Previous studies have been interpreted.

Five meaningful interpretation patterns emerged. These are that the experience of caring is related to power; the family is always present; childbearing and migration - a multiple vulnerability; the intercultural encounter changes the mother and the midwife; and conflicts may cause change. These themes are implicit in the theory. The theory consists of the caring relationship between the midwife and the mother. Intercultural caring has four dimensions: universal, cultural, contextual and unique caring. Intercultural caring relieves suffering and promotes health and well-being. Outer circumstances on three levels influence the maternity care. The five patterns and the theory are merged together.

The theory can be used in nursing education to awaken awareness in students of cultural aspects and caring in the maternity care of immigrants. Midwives can apply the theory to maternity care to enable a positive experience of childbearing by immigrant and minority mothers, which in turn can influence the well-being and indirectly the health outcome. The theory connects caring, culture, intercultural and maternity care in a new way, which is important in the care of childbearing immigrant and minority women. It also adds the intercultural and maternity care contexts to the theory of caritative caring.