Migration, Motherhood, and Maternal Health: Brazilian Women’s Encounters with the Portuguese Healthcare System

This article examines the maternal healthcare experiences of ten Brazilian women during Portugal’s obstetric crisis, focusing on access, use, and quality of care throughout the perinatal and childbirth periods. Using a qualitative approach based on semi-structured interviews, this study explores women’s perceptions of the adequacy and quality of maternal healthcare, contributing to a deeper understanding of their experiences within the Portuguese health system. Thematic analysis revealed persistent barriers to accessing services, linked to limited knowledge of the healthcare system, lack of awareness of legal rights, discrimination, and other structural obstacles. Participants expressed dissatisfaction with the clarity and quality of information provided by healthcare professionals, their communication skills, and the limited access to specialized care. They also described feeling undervalued by healthcare providers and reported an absence of emotional and psychosocial support during pregnancy, childbirth, and the postpartum period. Accounts of disrespectful and abusive practices highlight the vulnerability of migrant women. This study underscores the urgent need to recognize and address migrant women’s needs. Beyond access, policies should promote equity, cultural responsiveness, and intercultural dialogue to ensure respectful, person-centered maternal care.