For expectant mothers, the journey to childbirth is a profound blend of physical change, emotional anticipation, and, for many, deep spiritual significance. In the UK’s increasingly diverse society, the NHS faces both a challenge and an opportunity: to provide truly personalised, woman-centred care that honours not just clinical needs, but cultural and religious identities. Research from the University of Liverpool offers a vital roadmap, revealing the specific religious practices of Muslim women during maternity and providing clear, evidence-based recommendations for healthcare professionals.
The study, led by Shaima M. Hassan, is the first of its kind to develop such detailed guidelines directly from the lived experiences of Muslim mothers and the healthcare professionals (HCPs) who care for them. It comes at a crucial time. Muslims form the UK’s second-largest religious group, yet evidence shows women from minority ethnic backgrounds can face disparities in maternity outcomes and care experiences. This research shifts the narrative from problem to solution, highlighting how simple awareness and small adjustments can build trust, reduce anxiety, and empower women during one of life’s most significant transitions.
A Mosaic of Faith in Practice
The study engaged 43 participants, including first-time mothers, experienced mothers, and HCPs, through interviews and focus groups. It uncovered a rich tapestry of religious practices observed throughout pregnancy, labour, and the postnatal period. These are not monolithic customs but deeply personal expressions of faith that provide comfort, strength, and a sense of identity.
The findings categorise these practices into two clear groups, providing a practical framework for HCPs:
- Practices requiring awareness and acknowledgment. These are actions where a midwife or doctor simply knowing about and respecting the practice makes all the difference.
- Practices requiring awareness and active involvement. These may need practical support from staff, such as providing resources or adjusting routines.
Table 1: Common Practices Requiring HCP Awareness & Their Impact
| Religious Practice | Purpose & Meaning | The Positive Impact of HCP Awareness |
|---|---|---|
| Reciting Quran & Supplications (Dua) | Seeking calm, comfort, and divine support. Exposing the baby to holy words. | Acknowledgment removes a mother’s fear of being misunderstood. Allowing use of headphones or a CD player creates a peaceful environment. |
| Eating Dates in Early Labour | Following the example of Maryam (Virgin Mary) for energy and spiritual blessing. | Simple acknowledgment (“I see you’ve brought dates, that’s great”) validates her choice and builds rapport. |
| Tahneek (Rubbing a softened date in the newborn’s mouth) | A blessed first taste, symbolizing prayer for a righteous life. | Understanding prevents misinterpretation as “feeding solids.” Giving parents private time post-birth allows them to perform it without anxiety. |
| Aqiqah & Community Visits | Sacrifice of gratitude and community celebration of new life. | Awareness that the mother may have many visitors helps staff support her in managing this joyful yet potentially overwhelming time. |
Beyond Awareness: The Need for Active Partnership
The study’s most powerful insights come from practices where women often felt hesitant to speak up, fearing judgment, being a “burden,” or that their needs wouldn’t be understood. Here, proactive and sensitive support from HCPs is transformative.
Modesty and Gender of Care: A nearly universal concern was maintaining modesty and a preference for female practitioners. Women described anxiety about exposure during examinations and labour. The research recommends practical actions: using extra sheets or gowns, asking if curtains should be closed, and—critically—always informing a woman if a male HCP needs to be involved and exploring her preference for a female alternative if possible. As one participant, Samah, shared, she felt unable to request a female professional, worried she’d be seen as “a Muslim woman complaining.” Proactively giving that choice erases that fear.
The Silent Birth and the First Words: Some mothers wish for a “silent birth” or quiet moment immediately after delivery so the first word their baby hears can be the name of God (Allah). Others wish to whisper the Adhan (Islamic call to prayer) into the newborn’s ear. Participants reported that staff often continued talking, unaware of the significance of the moment. A simple question in the birth plan—”Is there anything specific you’d like us to know about the moment of birth?”—can open this door, allowing staff to facilitate a few minutes of quiet or privacy.
Navigating Dietary Law and Medicine: A significant finding was the dilemma around pharmaceuticals containing animal derivatives (like gelatine), which may be religiously non-permissible (Haram). The study highlights the Vitamin K injection given to newborns as a key example. Most women expected to be informed about such content but often were not. The recommendation is clear: HCPs should be knowledgeable about medication contents and, where alternatives exist (e.g., vegetarian/vegan-approved options), offer them. This upholds the principle of informed consent in the most respectful way.
Fasting in Ramadan: The research found many pregnant Muslim women attempt to fast during Ramadan, a communal act of worship, even though they are religiously exempt. Rather than a blunt “don’t fast,” the study recommends open, non-judgmental discussions about her intentions and providing nutritional guidance to support her health if she chooses to fast. This collaborative approach respects her agency.
Table 2: Actionable Recommendations for Enhanced, Faith-Sensitive Care
| Area of Care | Key Challenge from the Study | Evidence-Based Recommendation for HCPs |
|---|---|---|
| Communication & Birth Plans | Women unaware of birth plans or unsure if HCPs would understand religious needs. | Proactively discuss and document religious preferences in the birth plan. Don’t just use a tick-box approach. |
| Privacy & Modesty | Anxiety over exposure and male HCPs, leading to stress and discomfort. | Offer choices and resources: Extra sheets, closed curtains, advance notice about staff gender. Always ask. |
| Cultural Competence | Women fear being judged or seen as difficult for requesting faith-based accommodations. | Normalise the conversation. Use open questions: “Many women have personal or religious preferences around birth. Is there anything you’d like us to know to support you?” |
| Information & Consent | Lack of information on faith-sensitive issues (e.g., circumcision, medicine ingredients). | Be a signpost. Have information ready on NHS-approved circumcision clinics or alternative medications. Provide informed choice. |
| Environmental Support | Inability to practice rituals due to hospital routines or lack of resources. | Facilitate where possible: Provide a CD player for Quran recitation, allow a headscarf to be worn to theatre, ensure washing facilities for ritual ablution (wudu). |
The Power of Being Seen and Heard
The overarching message of this research is one of empowerment through understanding. The recommendations are not about special treatment, but about equitable care—ensuring all women have the same opportunity to have their core identities respected during a vulnerable time. For Muslim mothers, this can transform their experience from one where they feel they must hide parts of themselves to one where they feel fully supported, seen, and safe.
As the NHS continues its push towards personalised care, this study provides an essential, practical toolkit. It moves beyond abstract notions of “cultural sensitivity” to deliver concrete actions that midwives, doctors, and support staff can implement tomorrow. By embracing these insights, the UK’s maternity services can truly bridge the gap, ensuring that for every mother, regardless of faith, the journey to motherhood is met with not just clinical excellence, but with profound respect and dignity.
