Multilingual communication and the challenge posed across the perinatal journey: a qualitative study

Background/Aims Multilingual communication when the midwife and service user do not speak the same language can be challenging in maternity care. This study aimed to explore midwives’ and service users’ experiences of this phenomenon. Methods This qualitative study was based on constructivist grounded theory. In-depth interviews were held with 29 NHS midwives and 15 service users who were native speakers of either Arabic, Bengali, Lao, Polish, Thai or Turkish. Data were analysed using inductive coding. Results A variety of practices were used to provide language support from basic physical gestures and using English as the host language to professional interpreting or using technology such as Google Translate. Communicative interactions revealed three interpersonal aspects: trust, kindness and rapport building. Conclusions The healthcare system should equip midwives to provide personalised language support, enabling service users to have ownership over their communication. Implications for practice Interdisciplinary training should be introduced between midwives and interpreting services or others who offer language support to deal with language-discordant situations. The healthcare system should be adapted to provide bespoke language support.