Maternity in a foreign land: a protocol for identifying and addressing barriers to care for pregnant immigrants in the UK healthcare system

Pregnant immigrant women and birthing people face unique challenges in accessing and navigating healthcare systems in their host countries. In the United Kingdom, these barriers can lead to delayed care, missed appointments, and poorer maternal and neonatal outcomes. This protocol outlines a comprehensive methodology for investigating these barriers and developing solution-focused approaches to address them. This cross-sectional, mixed-methods study will recruit 100–150 pregnant immigrant women from antenatal clinics, postnatal wards, and community settings associated with the Princess Royal University Hospital and other King’s College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust facilities. Study Registration: King’s College audit committee (Registration number #625, date 03 June 2025). Data will be collected using a structured questionnaire covering demographics, language and communication barriers, healthcare access and experiences, and satisfaction with services. Quantitative data will be analyzed using descriptive statistics, chi-square tests, and logistic regression, while qualitative responses will undergo thematic analysis. This study aims to identify the prevalence and nature of barriers to maternity care among immigrant women, examine associations between demographic factors and specific barriers, and develop practical recommendations for healthcare providers and policymakers. The findings will inform targeted interventions to enhance accessibility, cultural sensitivity, and overall quality of maternity services for this vulnerable population. By adopting a solution-focused approach, this study will move beyond problem identification to actionable recommendations, contributing to the development of more inclusive and responsive maternity services for immigrant women in the UK and potentially other countries with similar healthcare systems.