Culture is a dynamic force that fundamentally shapes the perinatal experience. In British Columbia, Canada, where cultural diversity continues to evolve, the ability of healthcare professionals to deliver culturally respectful and appropriate care has never been more critical.
Despite this, significant barriers persist for culturally diverse patients seeking maternal health services, many of whom report negative experiences and inequitable outcomes. This qualitative study explores how Registered Midwives in British Columbia perceive, understand, and apply cultural knowledge in their care of patients from diverse backgrounds. Using Srivastava’s Culture Care Framework as a guiding structure, eight semi- structured interviews were conducted with practicing midwives between May and October 2024. Directed Qualitative Content Analysis of these interviews revealed four key themes: (1) perception of culture; (2) professional development and training; (3) cultural influences on midwifery care; and (4) delivery of midwifery care. These themes highlight both the strengths and limitations of current practice, including midwives’ commitment to provide custom- tailored, respectful care as well as the lack of consistent training, systemic support, and standardized tools to assist in culturally competent practice. This study contributes to a deeper understanding of how culture is enacted by midwives in clinical settings. It highlights the need for intentional strategies to integrate cultural competence into midwifery education, policy, and care frameworks. Implications for nursing and midwifery include the integration of culture- informed curricula, interdisciplinary collaboration, and policies that support equity and inclusion in maternal care. Ultimately, these findings provide valuable insights to inform practice, research, and policy efforts aimed at enhancing perinatal outcomes for all patients, regardless of their cultural background.
