There is limited research into the incidence of Postnatal distress (PND) amongst minorities and immigrants, despite what appears to be additional disadvantages in terms of access to health services, separation from family networks and lack of recognition by health providers of traditional health practices. I intend to begin a qualitative study into the experiences of Goan/Indian women living in New Zealand, focusing on the transitions of migration and childbirth, particularly where both occur simultaneously.

This presentation includes a brief overview of the literature and concludes with strategies that can assist in therapeutic intervention based on my personal and professional experience as a clinician, and migrant Goan woman. This is the first time such research has been undertaken with the New Zealand -Goan Community. Goa was a former Portuguese colony on the South-West coast of India.