ABSTRACT
This chapter explores the concepts of 'race', ethnicity and culture in respect to pregnancy and child-birth. Pregnancy and childbirth are unique life events. However, stereotypes reflect misguided or ill-informed beliefs about people of different ethnic origins, about their traits, attitudes and behaviours. Everyday experiences of racism reported by individuals from minority ethnic groups vary by gender, age and social class. When confronted with people from other ethnic and socio-cultural backgrounds than our own, 'difference' seems to be the most common aspect in the discourse about ethnic groups. Effective communication and an understanding of the expectations and practices of women from diverse socio-cultural and religious backgrounds influence the degree of advocacy and empowerment that may be achieved. It is therefore important that when caring for women the midwife shows a level of cultural competence that builds on her role in advocacy and empowering.
