Young mothers' experiences of regional maternity health care in Tasmania: A qualitative study

Young women under 24 are still largely missing from research on maternity care, especially those living in regional communities. Building a stronger evidence base about their maternity care experiences will help services better match care to the realities and needs of young mothers. This study will explore how young women aged 15-24 in Tasmania, Australia, access and receive maternity care.

This descriptive qualitative study drew on 26 one-on-one interviews and two focus groups with 7 women to explore the experiences of 32 young women aged 15-24 years in accessing and using maternity care across three regional maternity care sites in Tasmania, Australia.

Young Tasmanian mothers' experiences included interactions with a range of hospital and community non-government professionals and support services. The transition to motherhood encompassed mixed experiences for the young mothers. Reassurance, practical guidance, and genuine encouragement from those they engaged with helped foster confidence and trust. In contrast, judgement, stigma, and societal expectations often contributed to more negative experiences that shaped how they saw themselves as new mothers. Three themes emerged: 1) Partnership, 2) Robotic care and 3) Journey to young motherhood.

The findings of this study highlight the broader need to redesign maternity services so that they are equitable, accessible and genuinely responsive to the needs of young mothers. Their inclusion in policy, education and service design and delivery promotes greater choice, quality of care and safety for young mothers who access and receive maternity care in Tasmania.