Posted on October 20th, 2025

Introduction: Your Culture Matters in Maternity Care

Every birth is unique, shaped by language, beliefs, traditions, and family connections. For many immigrant and BIPOC mothers, pregnancy and postpartum care can feel foreign, not because of the body’s process, but because the medical system doesn’t always reflect their culture or voice.

At Hooria Health and Maternal Support, we believe cultural competence is more than a healthcare buzzword; it’s the foundation of respect, safety, and trust in maternal care. Here’s how you can advocate for culturally competent care, whether you’re working with doctors, midwives, or doulas. 

1. Understand What Cultural Competence Really Means

Cultural competence means your care team recognizes and respects your cultural identity, your language, customs, family roles, and birth traditions, and integrates that awareness into your care plan.

It’s not about treating everyone the same; it’s about meeting each mother where she is.

When healthcare providers understand that culture shapes communication, comfort, and confidence, outcomes improve. Mothers feel heard, respected, and empowered to participate fully in their care.

 

2. Know Your Rights and Preferences

You have the right to:

• Access an interpreter during appointments and delivery

• Ask for a provider who understands your language or cultural background

• Bring family or support persons to appointments and labor

• Request privacy or modesty accommodations that align with your faith or values

• Make informed choices about your care and birth plan

Write down your preferences early in pregnancy. Share them with your provider, doula, or nurse to ensure they’re included in your medical notes and respected during delivery.

 

3. Communicate Clearly and Without Apology

You are the expert on your body and your traditions. Speak up about what makes you comfortable, or uncomfortable.

For example:

• “In my culture, we prefer female providers during delivery.”

• “I’d like to include a prayer before birth. Can we make space for that?”

• “We use herbal teas for recovery. Are there any safety concerns I should know about?”

Providers often appreciate learning from you, and when you express your needs calmly and clearly, you help create a safer and more inclusive space for yourself and others.

 

4. Bring a Culturally Aware Doula or Advocate

Having a doula who understands your background can make a world of difference. Culturally aligned doulas bridge the gap between medical teams and families, helping translate not just language but emotion, context, and meaning.

At Hooria Health and Maternal Support, many of our doulas share the languages and traditions of the mothers we serve. They know the foods, prayers, and recovery rituals that bring comfort and familiarity during pregnancy and postpartum.

Your doula can also help:

• Communicate your birth plan

• Explain hospital procedures in plain language

• Remind staff of your preferences respectfully

• Ensure you’re never alone or dismissed

 

5. Build Your Support Network

Cultural advocacy isn’t a solo effort. Surround yourself with people who respect your values, family members, community leaders, and organizations that share your cultural background.

Attend prenatal classes, women’s circles, or postpartum gatherings hosted by local cultural groups. These spaces offer emotional support and practical advice from mothers who’ve been in your shoes.

Hooria Health and Maternal Support partners with community-based organizations to connect expecting and new mothers with peer support networks and essential resources, because cultural safety grows stronger together.

 

6. When You Fee

l Unheard, Speak Up

If you ever feel your culture or comfort is being dismissed, you have options:

• Request a new provider or nurse

• File a patient advocate report at the hospital

• Ask your doula to speak on your behalf

• Follow up in writing to ensure your concerns are documented

You deserve to feel safe, respected, and supported throughout your entire maternity journey. Never hesitate to advocate for yourself; your voice matters.

 

Final Thoughts: Culture Is Strength, Not a Barrier

Cultural competence transforms care. It allows mothers to give birth not just in safety, but in dignity, surrounded by understanding, respect, and love.

At Hooria Health and Maternal Support, we see every culture as a source of wisdom and power. Our doulas and postpartum specialists honor your traditions while helping you navigate the modern healthcare system with confidence.

If you’d like help creating a culturally informed birth or postpartum plan, reach out to Hooria Health and Maternal Support. Together, we can ensure your care honors who you are, mind, body, and culture.

Contact Hooria Health and Maternal Support today to start a conversation about culturally competent maternity care.