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IntroductionIn Quebec, more than 90% of prenatal care is delivered in hospitals, primarily by obstetrician-gynecologists. This exploratory qualitative study examines the unsatisfactory experience of obstetric care during pregnancy and investigates how maternal identity and the bond with the unborn child are shaped in this context.MethodSemi-structured interviews were conducted with five participants who had received hospital-based prenatal care in Quebec within the past three years.ResultsThematic analysis of the interviews identified three main factors underlying dissatisfaction: the language used by healthcare professionals, their actions, and the caregiver–patient relationship. The results also indicate that this dissatisfaction tended to affect the overall pregnancy experience, sometimes weakening the bond with the unborn child. The degree to which this occurred seemed to be strongly influenced by each participant’s internal and external resources, echoing the concept of psychic envelopes.ConclusionThis exploratory research underscores the importance of considering how care is provided to pregnant individuals during pregnancy, with the aim of humanizing perinatal care and supporting the development of the parent–child bond.