Spotlights of Turkish Foreigners - Motherhood in an Unknown Land: A Case Study in The Jezero Maternity Hospital

This academic article addresses a significant gap in the literature on migration and health within the context of Bosnia and Herzegovina (FBiH), focusing on Turkish women with legal migrant status who underwent the maternity process at Jezero Maternity Hospital in Sarajevo. The study aims to explore the memories and experiences of these Turkish women regarding the concept of obstetric violence, particularly their encounters with socially and culturally different attitudes towards childbirth experiences. Utilizing a case study approach, seven Turkish women who volunteered to share their childbirth experiences were selected from one of the leading maternity hospitals in Sarajevo Canton. The findings were categorized into four main themes: inadequate information, lack of autonomy in childbirth decisions, subpar pain management resulting in excruciating pain, a deficiency of trust and lack of security leading to the attitudes of hospital staff perceived as unacceptable and ignored. Although the issue of obstetric violence is intricate and multifaceted, this small-scale study has shed light on crucial aspects related to securing women's right to midwifery and promoting respectful and supportive care for expectant mothers at the local level in FBiH. This research contributes valuable insights to the existing literature and highlights the significance of culturally sensitive approaches to improve maternal healthcare experiences for migrant women in the region.