Migrant Burmese women living in southern Thailand and motherhood: An ethnographic study

Abstract

Migrants to Thailand come from low‐income border countries, such as Burma (Myanmar). Generally, migrant women experience difficulties obtaining high‐quality health care due to socioeconomic barriers and conflicts with their practices. The aim of this study was to explore migrant Burmese women's experiences of becoming a mother while living in Thailand and their perceptions of motherhood, family support, and traditional postpartum practices. The study used an ethnographic design. In 2015, data were gathered through individual interviews with 10 migrant Burmese women before and after birth. Interview and field note data were analyzed using thematic analysis. Four themes emerged from the data: (i) the more children, the stronger the family; (ii) finding ways to promote baby's health and growth; (iii) sharing responsibility to fulfill parenting role; and (iv) peer and family support. Becoming a mother was important to the Burmese women interviewed; however, as migrants in Thailand, they had to juggle work and care for young children. Most decided that once their child was school age they would be sent to Burma to live with relatives. They engaged in a range of traditional practices to support their infant's health and well‐being and protect their baby from evil spirits. Support from family, and the ability to participate in postpartum practices, were important for Burmese migrant women becoming mothers in Thailand.

Immigrant women’s and families’ views and experiences of routine postnatal care: findings from a qualitative evidence synthesis

“…There were also differences in how-and what-women communicate with their healthcare provider. Some women highlighted the importance of religion in their postnatal care 22 studies: Almeida et al, 60 Chu, 43 Davis, 10 67 DeSouza 2005, Doering et al, 68 Grewal et al, 61 Gurman and Becker, 46 Higginbottom et al, 69 Higginbottom et al, 48 Kim et al, 28 Lam et al, 50 Lee et al, 65 Phanwichatkul et al, 70 Qureshi and Pacquiao, 63 Reitmanova and Gustafson, 66 Renzaho and Oldroyd, 56 Rice, 71 Riggs et al, 55 Shafiei et al, 62 Ta park et al, 72 Waugh, 73 Wikberg et al 58 Grewal et al, 61 Lam et al, 50 Rice, 71 Waugh 73 'Because we are not in China we will not "zuo yue zi" [at] immigrants from Mexico in the USA)…”

“…Some women sought their social support from healthcare providers, especially during home visits. Others mentioned multicultural mothers' groups in the postnatal period as sources of social support which provided them an opportunity to connect with others 20 studies: Chu, 43 Davis,10 DeSouza 2005 67 , Grewal et al, 61 Higginbottom et al, 48 Hoang et al, 11 Hoban and Liamputtong, 49 Kim et al, 28 Lam et al, 50 Lee et al, 65 McLeish, 51 Phillimore, 53 Phanwichatkul et al, 70 Qureshi and Pacquiao, 63 Renzaho and Oldroyd, 56 Riggs et al, 54 Sami et al, 57 Shafiei et al, 74 Stewart et al, 77 Wikberg et al 76 'They should offer some support for the first couple of days at home, or even follow up by simply calling on the phone' (Stewart et al 77 immigrants from two African countries in Canada)…”