A new booklet, which aims to support Roma women both during and after pregnancy, has been launched.

According to the HSE, Roma women often do not come forward for health checks during pregnancy, particularly early on, due to a lack of awareness abut the Irish healthcare system.

The booklet, which can be viewed online here, provides advice for each stage of pregnancy and the first few weeks after birth. Topics covered include how to apply for a PPS number and medical card, and how to contact HSE Roma outreach workers.

The new resources are also designed as an aid for healthcare professionals to communicate more effectively with Roma women.

According to Prof Maeve Eogan, a consultant obstetrician and gynaecologist at Dublin’s Rotunda Hospital, poor awareness about available services, pathways of access, and rights and entitlements are some of the key barriers to Roma maternal healthcare.

“Roma women need to be able to understand the information they are being given and signposted to relevant and appropriate care for them and their babies,” she commented.

The resources were welcomed by Bianca Tanase, a Roma health worker with Pavee Point, who said it is essential that Roma women have access to the correct information.

“This shows Roma women that the HSE is taking our needs into account. This is important as not all Roma women know about the services, or they feel that the services are not for them and they may be afraid of discrimination and racism,” she noted.

The booklet is an adaptation of Pavee Mothers, which was produced by Pavee Point for Travellers. It has been adapted in partnership with Roma women, for Roma women, by the HSE and partners in the Roma maternal health working group, with assistance from mychild.ie and a HSE breastfeeding consultant.

According to Jenny Liston, Roma Programme Coordinator at Pavee Point, research has shown that in Ireland, 24% of Roma women’s first point of contact with maternity services was when they were giving birth.

“Pavee Point is delighted to have worked with HSE Social Inclusion on this project building on our previous work, Pavee Mothers, which served as a useful model for providing maternal health information to Roma mothers in a culturally appropriate way.

“This resource is a first step in addressing Roma health inequalities and there is a need to build on this positive work to deliver better outcomes for Roma women and their babies,” she said.

The booklet, Roma Daja, can be viewed online here.