Cultural Competency - Multicultural Health Generalizations: Childbirth Customs
Traditional Japanese Childbirth Customs
- Customarily, after the fifth month of pregnancy, a Japanese woman will wear a cotton abdomen band called an "Iwata-obi." This is given to her by her family for protection, good luck and an easy birth.
- A month before birth, she will leave her husband and return to her parents' home to give birth.
- Her family will then care for her for one month and she will return to her husband with the child.
Source: Traditional Japanese Childbirth Customs. http://www.hawcc.hawaii.edu/nursing/Japan_text02.html (disabled) (2004, Jan. 16). Redirected to: http://www.hawcc.hawaii.edu/nursing/tradjapan2.htm
Orthodox Jewish Birthing Rituals
- Due to laws dictating separation of men and women during any type of vaginal bleeding, some Orthodox Jewish husbands may believe in restraining themselves from touching their wives during labor.
- If the husband participates in the delivery, support may be shown through verbal means instead of touching.
- If possible, male nurses should not be assigned to female patients.
- However, laws are waived so male physicians are allowed to attend to female patients.
- A family member or friend of the family will usually stay with the
hospitalized newborn at all times.
Source: Cultural, Ethnic, and Religious Reference Manual for Health Care Providers, 1995 Edition, by Janice D. Andrews
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