Childbirth and Culture by Erica Bursey https://padlet.com/erica_bursey/12_ATARHEA Impact of culture on childbirth health practices. en-us 2016-08-08 06:03:33 UTC 2025-12-31 19:35:54 UTC hello@padlet.com Scientology https://padlet.com/erica_bursey/12_ATARHEA/wish/117693088 Scientologists believe in the "silent birth",
 where doctors, the mother and all other present are forbidden from making a sound in order to prevent the corruption of the newborn child. According to Scientology doctrine, this is because "any words spoken are recorded in the 'reactive mind' and can have a negative effect on the mother and the child." There have been no attempts to prove this medically or scientifically.]]> 2016-08-08 06:47:52 UTC https://padlet.com/erica_bursey/12_ATARHEA/wish/117693088 Philippines https://padlet.com/erica_bursey/12_ATARHEA/wish/117693179 In some regions of the Philippines, it is believed that putting squash leaves on the abdomen of a labouring woman can facilitate labour.]]> 2016-08-08 06:51:01 UTC https://padlet.com/erica_bursey/12_ATARHEA/wish/117693179 Sudan https://padlet.com/erica_bursey/12_ATARHEA/wish/117693198 In rural areas in Sudan, women are accustomed to kneeling or squatting to give birth. However, in urban hospitals in Sudan as well as hospitals in Canada, women are typically expected to deliver in the supine position ("rural" squatting position claiming this as easier and more comfortable)​]]> 2016-08-08 06:51:12 UTC https://padlet.com/erica_bursey/12_ATARHEA/wish/117693198 Eastern Birth (Lotus Birth https://padlet.com/erica_bursey/12_ATARHEA/wish/117693238 In some traditional birthing methods, a process called the "lotus birth" is used. After the placenta is passed from the mother’s body, it’s set out alongside the baby to dry. It’s then rinsed and wrapped up; often, it’s coated with sea salt and herbs to keep it from smelling as it dries and decays, naturally detaching from the newborn baby.



]]> 2016-08-08 06:51:54 UTC https://padlet.com/erica_bursey/12_ATARHEA/wish/117693238 Japan https://padlet.com/erica_bursey/12_ATARHEA/wish/117693336  Women in labour are encouraged to eat, as it is believed that food will provide the strength and energy needed for effective pushing. 
Women are also encouraged not to cry during labour. 
Childbirth is considered natural and is drug free.]]> 2016-08-08 06:53:58 UTC https://padlet.com/erica_bursey/12_ATARHEA/wish/117693336 Sudan https://padlet.com/erica_bursey/12_ATARHEA/wish/117693341 There is a widespread belief that women should not go to the hospital because the doctors will perform a caesarean section.]]> 2016-08-08 06:54:04 UTC https://padlet.com/erica_bursey/12_ATARHEA/wish/117693341 Somali https://padlet.com/erica_bursey/12_ATARHEA/wish/117693343 Before a birth, the community women hold a party (somewhat like a baby shower) for the pregnant woman as a sign of support. Births most frequently occur at home, and are attended by a midwife.]]> 2016-08-08 06:54:10 UTC https://padlet.com/erica_bursey/12_ATARHEA/wish/117693343 Jewish https://padlet.com/erica_bursey/12_ATARHEA/wish/117693374 There is a practise that boys are circumcised at birth. ]]> 2016-08-08 06:55:09 UTC https://padlet.com/erica_bursey/12_ATARHEA/wish/117693374 Most African Countries https://padlet.com/erica_bursey/12_ATARHEA/wish/117693380 When a child is born, the new mother and baby stay indoors at home for 40 days, a time period known as afatanbah. 

Female relatives and friends visit the family and help take care of them. This includes preparing special foods such as soup, porridge, and special teas. .]]> 2016-08-08 06:55:21 UTC https://padlet.com/erica_bursey/12_ATARHEA/wish/117693380 Malaysia https://padlet.com/erica_bursey/12_ATARHEA/wish/117693437 Malay women are encouraged to pray during labour and avoid crying and screaming. ]]> 2016-08-08 06:57:00 UTC https://padlet.com/erica_bursey/12_ATARHEA/wish/117693437 Korea                       Stoic by tradition, Korean women often refuse pain management in favour of quietly making their way through labor and delivery. https://padlet.com/erica_bursey/12_ATARHEA/wish/117693441 2016-08-08 06:57:03 UTC https://padlet.com/erica_bursey/12_ATARHEA/wish/117693441 Bali https://padlet.com/erica_bursey/12_ATARHEA/wish/117693464 An ancient postpartum tradition in Bali centers around burying the placenta, an organ that some Hindus consider to be “alive,” almost like a twin sibling of the newborn baby. The placenta is cleaned, placed in a container, and buried outside of the home as part of an intricate and detailed ceremony.
The Balinese believe that the placenta, or ari ari, has a spirit of its own, that acts as the child’s guardian angel. Parents therefore bury the placenta ritually in a special cemetery.
Babies aren’t allowed to touch the ground until they reach three months of age. The newborn is considered pure, and any contact with the floor within those three months will defile it]]> 2016-08-08 06:57:49 UTC https://padlet.com/erica_bursey/12_ATARHEA/wish/117693464 Brazil https://padlet.com/erica_bursey/12_ATARHEA/wish/117693474 2016-08-08 06:58:04 UTC https://padlet.com/erica_bursey/12_ATARHEA/wish/117693474 Niger                   Muslim tradition allows only a woman’s husband to touch her genitals, so midwives in this African nation facilitate labor by offering the mom-to-be herbal drinks and sprinkling herbs over her abdomen. https://padlet.com/erica_bursey/12_ATARHEA/wish/117693505 2016-08-08 06:58:38 UTC https://padlet.com/erica_bursey/12_ATARHEA/wish/117693505 Samoan https://padlet.com/erica_bursey/12_ATARHEA/wish/117693514 For their first delivery, Samoan women usually return to their mother’s home and after a confinement period, the new family returns home. This should be kept in mind since in Australia, Samoan women may have no parental support. ]]> 2016-08-08 06:58:56 UTC https://padlet.com/erica_bursey/12_ATARHEA/wish/117693514 Rural Northern India/Bangladesh https://padlet.com/erica_bursey/12_ATARHEA/wish/117693520 "Menstruation and birth are regarded as disgusting and intensely polluting." Women in these areas are also reluctant to help other women in childbirth]]> 2016-08-08 06:59:03 UTC https://padlet.com/erica_bursey/12_ATARHEA/wish/117693520 MUSLIM: 1.There are other situations where termination of a pregnancy is permitted 2. Muslims consider the fetus after the age of 120 days is a viable baby. 3. After delivery, the placenta (which is part of the baby) should be offered to the parents for disposal. 4. It is important for a newborn child to have a prayer call recited in each ear soon after birth. 4. It is a traditional religious observance to shave the head of newborn babies on the 7th day. https://padlet.com/erica_bursey/12_ATARHEA/wish/117693537 2016-08-08 06:59:33 UTC https://padlet.com/erica_bursey/12_ATARHEA/wish/117693537 Sri Lanka                 This country is heavily influenced by Buddhism, which supports the idea that suffering during birth is linked to sins committed during previous lives; thus, it’s a source of pride for a woman to go through childbirth without expressing her pain. https://padlet.com/erica_bursey/12_ATARHEA/wish/117693552 2016-08-08 06:59:49 UTC https://padlet.com/erica_bursey/12_ATARHEA/wish/117693552 Togo https://padlet.com/erica_bursey/12_ATARHEA/wish/117693611 Keeping quiet during birth ensures you won’t attract the attention of any evil spirits.]]> 2016-08-08 07:00:53 UTC https://padlet.com/erica_bursey/12_ATARHEA/wish/117693611 Cambodia               After birth, the mother’s placenta is carefully wrapped in a banana tree leaf, placed beside the newborn for three days, then buried. https://padlet.com/erica_bursey/12_ATARHEA/wish/117693658 2016-08-08 07:01:31 UTC https://padlet.com/erica_bursey/12_ATARHEA/wish/117693658 Inuit https://padlet.com/erica_bursey/12_ATARHEA/wish/117694087 Inflating balloons or blowing bubbles with gum is avoided during pregnancy to prevent premature rupturing of the membranes.]]> 2016-08-08 07:02:30 UTC https://padlet.com/erica_bursey/12_ATARHEA/wish/117694087 Mexico https://padlet.com/erica_bursey/12_ATARHEA/wish/117694146 Mexican women are urged to only bathe in warm water—water that is too hot is thought to lead to circulatory problems, and water that’s too cold could make the pelvis rigid and lead to a long, hard birth.]]> 2016-08-08 07:03:36 UTC https://padlet.com/erica_bursey/12_ATARHEA/wish/117694146 India https://padlet.com/erica_bursey/12_ATARHEA/wish/117694164 To symbolize the “openness” of the womb during birth, pregnant Indian women leave their hair down, remove any jewelry and leave all doors in the house open. After birth, the umbilical cord is gently placed around the child’s neck]]> 2016-08-08 07:04:02 UTC https://padlet.com/erica_bursey/12_ATARHEA/wish/117694164 Bolivia https://padlet.com/erica_bursey/12_ATARHEA/wish/117694176 Knitting while pregnant is believed to cause the umbilical cord to wrap around the baby’s neck.]]> 2016-08-08 07:04:26 UTC https://padlet.com/erica_bursey/12_ATARHEA/wish/117694176 Brazil https://padlet.com/erica_bursey/12_ATARHEA/wish/117694189 In Brazil, it is often a tradition for new mothers to offer gifts when visited in maternity.]]> 2016-08-08 07:04:39 UTC https://padlet.com/erica_bursey/12_ATARHEA/wish/117694189 Mali https://padlet.com/erica_bursey/12_ATARHEA/wish/117694218 The placenta is considered a very powerful force that can affect a new baby’s mood or make him ill. To avoid any negative repercussions, the placenta is washed, dried and placed in a basket to be buried by the father.]]> 2016-08-08 07:05:34 UTC https://padlet.com/erica_bursey/12_ATARHEA/wish/117694218 https://padlet.com/erica_bursey/12_ATARHEA/wish/117694263 2016-08-08 07:07:09 UTC https://padlet.com/erica_bursey/12_ATARHEA/wish/117694263