Childbirth Across Cultures (eBook)

Contents 6
Contributors 8
Introduction: Babies Can Be Born Anywhere 11
Introduction by H. Selin 11
Reference 15
Birth and the Big Bad Wolf: An Evolutionary Perspective 16
The Biocultural Evolution of Modern Human Childbirth 20
The Cultural Elaboration of Childbirth: Biomedical Hegemony and the Technocratic Model 23
Premodern Birthing Patterns and Why They Matter 26
Unrestrained Movement in Labor Followed by Upright, ''Physiologic'' Pushing 26
Obligate Midwifery, Continuous Labor Support and the Avoidance of ''Intimate Strangers'' 28
Low Intervention Birth -- Long-Term Breastfeeding -- Co-Sleeping Adaptive Complex 29
Conclusion 30
Notes 32
References 33
Breastfeeding and Child Spacing 38
Defining Ecological Breastfeeding: The Lactational Amenorrhea Method (LAM) 38
Additional Benefits of the Lactational Amenorrhea Method 41
Barriers to the Lactational Amenorrhea Method 42
Use of the Lactational Amenorrhea Method Around the World 43
Conclusion 44
References 46
Culturally Diverse Women Giving Birth: Their Stories 48
Importance of Birth Narratives 48
Review of the Literature 48
Themes in Birth Narratives 49
The Importance of Following Cultural Proscriptions Associated with Childbearing 49
Birth as a Bittersweet Paradox 50
The Pain of Childbirth 51
The Meaning of Giving Birth 51
A Sense of Self-Actualization 52
Conclusion 52
References 53
A History of Western Medicine, Labor, and Birth 55
A History of Pregnancy and Birth 55
Pregnancy and Early Medicine 56
The Victorian Era 1800--1900 58
Rickets and Maternal Health 60
Victorian Codes and Proper Attire 61
Medical Interventions 62
Cesarean Section 62
Conclusion 64
Notes 65
References 65
Childbirth in China 68
Mandate for Modernity: Control of the Nation, Control of the Body 68
One Modern Nation: One-Child Families and Control of Fertility 71
Status Births: Negotiating Modernity Through Hospital and Cesarean Births 72
Chasing Out the Midwives: Rural Health Clinics and the Struggle for Modernity 75
The Month of Sitting: Negotiating Chinese Modernity Postpartum 77
Conclusion 79
Notes 79
References 80
Childbirth Among Hong Kong Chinese 83
Taboos During Pregnancy 84
Childbirth Classes 84
Childbirth Practice 84
Fathers Involvement 85
Childbirth Coping 85
Cesarean Section 86
Doing the Month 86
Postpartum Adaptation 87
References 87
Childbirth in Korea 89
Pregnancy 89
Preference for Boy Babies 89
Tae-Kyo and Tae-Mong 89
Prenatal Check-Ups 90
Prenatal and Childbirth Education 91
Pregnancy Experience 91
Labor and Delivery 91
Labor Supporter 92
Labor Pain Control 92
Methods to Decrease Anxiety 92
Episiotomy and Power 93
Postpartum 93
Postpartum Care 93
Breastfeeding 94
Postpartum Care 94
Note 94
References 94
Childbirth in Japan 96
From Community Rituals to Medical Issue: Historical Changes in Japanese Childbirth 96
Medicalisation of Childbirth 96
Vanishing Traditions 98
Birth Rituals in Todays Japan 100
Remaining Traditions 100
New Myths 102
Contemporary Childbirth: Birth Power 102
Future Issues: Buds of Change 104
Note 105
References 105
A Sacramental Theory of Childbirth in India 106
Birth as a Transformative Rite of Passage 109
The Pre-natal and Post-natal Samskaras or Sacraments 110
Of Demons, Dispositions, and Desires 112
Birth Ceremony 113
Of Childbirth and the Sacraments 114
Note 116
References 116
Rural Midwives in South India: The Politics of Bodily Knowledge 118
Diverse Values That Pertain to Childbirth 121
Elitism and Hybridity: Western and Indic Hierachies of Knowledge 123
The Interview and the Answer: Recipes 125
Observation of Practices 127
Ethnography Based on Apprenticeship 128
Social Sciences Over-Emphasis on Knowledge as the Province of Specialists 129
Conclusion 131
Note 131
References 132
Constructions of Birth in Bangladesh 134
Understanding Childbirth 135
Embodied Knowledge and Engagement in Birth 136
Medicalization of Birth and Authoritative Knowledge 139
Role of the State and Maternal Health 143
Conclusion 144
Notes 144
References 145
Pregnancy and Childbirth in Nepal: Womens Role and Decision-Making Power 147
Women and Power 148
Reproductive Health 149
Power During Pregnancy and Childbirth in Village Areas 151
Power During Pregnancy and Childbirth in Urban Areas 152
Conclusion 153
References 153
Pregnancy and Childbirth in Tibet: Knowledge, Perspectives, and Practices 155
A Birth Story 157
Tibetan Health/Global Health 160
Becoming Human: Buddhism, Tibetan Medicine, and Folk Knowledge 162
Bone Soup and Rickets: Nutritional Prescriptions and Limitations 165
Conclusion: Safe Birth on the Roof of the World 166
Notes 167
References 168
Nyob Nruab Hlis: Thirty Days Confinement in Hmong Culture 171
Pregnancy 172
Childbirth 173
Confinement Practices 174
Prescribed Food in Confinement 175
Rest 175
Behavioural and Dietary Precautions 176
Physical Activities and Avoidance of Sex 176
Warmth After Birth 176
Dietary Precautions 177
Restrictions with Lactating and Pregnant Women 177
The Polluted Body: Women in Confinement 178
Hmong Herbal Medicines in Confinement 178
Conclusion 179
References 182
Pregnancy, Childbirth and Traditional Beliefs and Practices in Chiang Mai, Northern Thailand 184
Precautions During Pregnancy and Birth 184
Dietary Precautions 184
Behavioural Precautions 185
Preparation for Easy Birth 186
Consumption of Food Stuffs 187
Activities 187
Magic and Montra 188
Mae Jang 0 Mor Tamyae: A Traditional Midwife 189
Conclusion 189
References 192
Childbirth Experience in the Negev The Southern Region of Israel 194
Pain 194
Epidural Analgesia 198
Decisions Regarding Termination of Pregnancy 198
Lack of Prenatal Care and Refusal of Treatment in Obstetrics 199
Home Birth and Accidental Out of Hospital Deliveries 199
Cultural and Traditional Aspects of Childbirth in Israel 200
Conclusion 201
Note 201
References 201
Childbirth and Maternal Mortality in Morocco: The Role of Midwives 203
Maternal Mortality 203
How Important Is Maternal Mortality? 204
Why Do Women Die Before Giving Birth, in Labour and After? 204
Midwives Role in Morocco 205
Morocco's Childbirth Context 205
Midwifery as a Health Profession in Morocco 208
Midwifery in the Moroccan Socio-Cultural System 209
Conclusion 210
Note 210
References 210
Childbirth in Zimbabwe 212
Maternal Healthcare in Zimbabwe 212
HIV and AIDS and Maternal Care 213
Effects of the Economic Collapse 213
Womens Perspectives and Expectations 215
Decision Making Power 215
Culture and Childbirth 216
References 219
Childbirth in Nigeria 221
Causes of Maternal Death During Childbirth 221
Process of Childbirth in Nigeria 222
Care in Pregnancy 222
Care During Delivery 222
Attendant at Delivery 222
Care After Childbirth 223
Traditional Home Delivery 223
Process of Delivery by Untrained TBA 223
Trained Traditional Birth Attendants 224
Delays That Can Occur During Child Birth 224
Strategies for Improvement of Childbirth in Nigeria 225
Skilled Attendant 225
References 226
Childbirth in Tanzania: Individual, Family, Community 227
Traditional Childbirth Care 227
Modern Childbirth Care 228
Individual Factors in Childbirth 228
Age at First Birth 228
Education and Use of Childbirth Services 229
Social and Community Factors in Childbirth 229
Contraception and Childbirth 229
Religions and Utilization of Childbirth Services 230
Customs, Beliefs and Childbirth 230
Community's Perceptions on Quality of Childbirth Services 230
The Role of the Community in Childbirth 231
Decision Making in the Community and Childbirth 231
Health System Factors and Childbirth 231
Cost and Choice of Childbirth Services 232
Accessibility of Modern Health Facilities and Childbirth Services 232
Referral and Childbirth 232
Implications 233
References 234
Culture, Pregnancy and Childbirth in Uganda: Surviving the Womens Battle 235
Lutalo Lwabakyala (Womens Battle) Local Community Perceptions of Pregnancy and Childbirth
Childbirth: A Test of Endurance and Tolerance 238
Conclusion 239
References 239
Childbirth Experiences in Malawi 241
Beneficial Childbirth Practices 241
Social Support 242
Avoiding Standing in the Doorway 243
Avoiding Spicy Foods 243
Counselling Sessions 243
Prevention of Birth Before Arrival at A Health Facility 244
Prevention from Cooking 244
Confinement 244
Harmful Cultural Practices 245
Food Taboos 245
Sexual Activity 245
Delay in Seeking Health Care 246
Home Births 246
Use of Traditional Oxytocin 247
Care of the Newborn 248
Challenges of Malawian Birth Practices 249
Conclusion 249
Notes 250
References 250
Navajo Birth: A Bridge Between the Past and the Future 251
Prenatal Preparation Stories 252
Traditional Childbirth and Postpartum Stories 254
Two Home Births in 1984 and 1989 255
References 257
Childbirth in the Mayan Communities 260
Overview of Mayan Birthing Beliefs and Practices 260
Introduction of the Biomedical Model of Care During Birthing 262
Comadrona Beliefs and Rituals 263
Maternal Beliefs and Rituals 267
Conclusion 268
References 268
Converting Birth on Simbo, Western Solomon Islands 270
Shifting Positions 270
Converting Birth 272
Modernizing Birth 274
Knowing Birth 275
Conclusion 277
Note 277
References 278
Childbirth in Australia: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Women 280
The Grandmothers Law 280
Mollys Story 282
History 283
The Smoking Ceremony 285
Risk 285
Birthing Practices 286
Conception 287
Pregnancy 287
Labour 288
Stillbirth 289
Birthing on Country 289
Note 290
References 290
Biographies of the Authors 292
Index 1