By Wissam Shalaby
When Amina (name changed for privacy) arrived in Calgary with her husband and their two-year-old daughter, she was four months pregnant and filled with hope. Having fled instability in East Africa, her family was eager to build a safer and healthier life in Canada. But within weeks, that hope was quickly replaced by confusion and stress. Amina did not know where to access prenatal care, struggled to navigate health services that are mostly offered in English and found herself relying on Facebook groups and neighbours just to figure out what to do next.
“I just needed someone to guide us,” she told our team.
Amina’s story isn’t unique. Her experience reflects a broader pattern uncovered in a recent community needs assessment conducted by Immigrant Services Calgary (ISC) through Gateway and the Newcomer Knowledge Hub (K-Hub), in partnership with the University of Calgary’s Faculty of Social Work. The project aimed to better understand newcomer families’ experiences with prenatal and postnatal health services in Calgary and identify opportunities for improvement.
Between November 2024 and April 2025, our team gathered data through a multilingual survey, focus groups, and interviews with newcomer parents, pregnant women, frontline workers, and service providers. What we learned from the findings was clear: the systems meant to support families during pregnancy and early parenting are often too complex, too fragmented, and too difficult to navigate, especially for those new to Canada.
Getting Lost in the System
Many study participants described feeling overwhelmed by disconnected services and unclear processes. They spoke of submitting multiple forms without response, enduring long wait times for specialists, and being passed from one referral to another without follow-up.
“I filled out so many forms, but nothing ever happened. No one followed up,” one mother shared. Another reported waiting a full year to hear back from a pediatrician, only to be added to another waitlist.
The Invisible Barriers
Language and communication emerged as major obstacles. Over 20% of survey respondents said they were unable to access prenatal care due to language barriers. Even when they did get through, many often felt rushed or misunderstood.
“I called, but they spoke too fast,” one parent recalled. “Email is better, but even then, I don’t understand everything.”
Many families shared that they received pamphlets or website links with little or no explanation, leaving them unsure about their next step. This left many with feelings of disconnection from their own care planning.
The Strain of Inaccessible Childcare
Childcare was another critical issue. Families reported long waitlists, high fees, and a lack of culturally familiar or language-accessible options. These barriers made it difficult to attend appointments, prenatal class, or return to work.
“The subsidy helped, but it still wasn’t enough,” one mother said. “And the daycare I could afford didn’t have space.”
Without accessible childcare, planning anything, from job interviews to medical appointments, becomes nearly impossible for many newcomer parents.
The Hidden Cost of Parenthood
Newcomer families often arrived in Canada without financial security or extended social support. The stress of finding housing, employment, and health care while pregnant or parenting a young child was described as overwhelming. Participants spoke of skipping prenatal workshops to prioritize job searches or struggling to afford basics like diapers for daycare.
“I wanted to join a prenatal workshop,” one parent noted, “but I had to find a job. That was my priority.”
These pressures contributed to feelings of isolation, frustration, and emotional burnout.
Informal Networks: Helpful, but limited
When formal supports were not sufficient, many families turned to community WhatsApp groups, neighbours, or friends for help with translation, referrals, and emotional support. While these informal networks provided relief, they also had limitations. Misinformation was a risk, and some individuals hesitated to reach out due to fear, shame, or cultural norms.
“Back home, you have aunties, neighbours, your mother,” one participant said. “Here, we are alone.”
What Works: Promising Practices and Pathways Forward
Despite several challenges, there were bright spots. Families appreciated services that offered in-home support, interpretation and translation, and culturally safe education. Prenatal programs that welcomed fathers were particularly well received, as were staff who took time to listen and build trust.
The report recommends:
- Simplifying and coordinating referral and intake processes
- Offering flexible, culturally safe prenatal and postnatal programs
- Expanding language access and interpretation support
- Improving access to affordable, inclusive childcare
- Training providers in trauma-informed, anti-oppressive care
Moving from Insight to Action
This research reinforces that newcomer families do their best to care for themselves and their children under complex and often inequitable conditions. However, the systems designed to support them must do more to walk alongside, not ahead of them.
“No one should have to choose between learning how to care for their baby and filling out another intake form,” the report concludes.
ISC, Gateway, and the K-Hub are committed to turning these insights into tangible improvements by collaborating with families, service providers, and policy leaders to build systems that are responsive, inclusive, and grounded in dignity.
To read the full report:
Kaushik, V., Faridi, Z. A., & Williams, N. (2025). Building responsive systems: A needs assessment on prenatal and postnatal support for newcomer families in Calgary. Immigrant Services Calgary.
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