Prenatal care experiences and birth weight among Mexican immigrant women.

National studies indicate that Mexican immigrant women tend to have more positive birth outcomes than other groups, despite receiving relatively low levels of medical prenatal care. Our study-based on in-depth interviews with immigrant women who had recently given birth in Chicago-examines women's experiences seeking prenatal care. Qualitative findings contribute to understanding why many of these women received less than optimal care during pregnancy. The study also offers modest evidence that, despite overall positive birth outcomes and low levels of prenatal care, adequate prenatal care may make a difference in birth outcomes in this group. Suggestions are made concerning ways to improve access to adequate care, paying particular attention to the impact of migration and communication in prenatal care.