Experiences of motherhood: Unmet expectations of immigrant and native mothers, about the Portuguese health system

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: This study aims to identify the unmet expectations of Portuguese and immigrant women, for the National Health System, during pregnancy, childbirth and postpartum. PARTICIPANTS AND METHODS: This is a qualitative, exploratory, descriptive study, using semi structured interviews and content analysis proposed by Bardin, with the categorization of verbatim interviews of 82 Portuguese and immigrant women, supported by NVivo 10. RESULTS: Major emerging categories of unmet expectations referred to the accessibility, human resources, incentives to maternity, physical and environmental conditions, and organization of the health system. There was a greater representation of dashed expectations among immigrant users when compared to Portuguese women. CONCLUSION: The areas of greatest shortage in meeting the needs of users are: surveillance by experts in the health centre and maternity hospital; reduced waiting time for pregnant women in consultations; home visits; more incentives to maternity; longer duration of hospitalization; higher number of professionals and presence of a companion with the parturient.