Birth I was a part of:
The only birth that I particularly remember being a part of, is the birth of my nephew. He was born in May of 2012. Although I was not there for the actual birth, I can think back to visiting in the hospital. I remember a lot of things changing after he was born. It was amazing to me how much my family changed, not just the structure of my family, but also it changed the actual people in my family. My sister in law gave birth at the hospital and she did have an epidural. Her labor lasted about 4 hours. My brother periodically texted throughout the birth to keep me updated about what was going on, this was one way that I was able to participate in the birth.
Birth
Laboring women are isolated due to birth-related pollution beliefs.
Women usually cry in pain and scream as the birth approaches.
Some women may prefer lying on a bed during delivery, while others
may prefer to squat, either
on the floor or on a stool.
Profuse bleeding after delivery may
be viewed as a good sign linked to
the purification of the uterus
After birth
The mother and the child are usually isolated immediately after
delivery, due to beliefs about pollution and impurity linked to the
delivery process.
The period of seclusion and confinement of postpartum women varies
across regions. In many regions, t
he confinement period of postpartum
women can be up to 40 days.
Confinement is is practiced to protect mother and infant from exposure
to disease and from evil spirits. Both mother and child are considered
to be in a vulnerable state after birth.
Postpartum practices are usually
upheld and enforced by mothers-in-
law, aunts and other elderly female relatives. These women may
decide the kinds of food a postpartum woman can consume.
Some women may be required to follow a diet of puffed rice, tea and
hot water for the first three days after delivery.
The consumption of milk, butter, ghee and some types of fish is
encouraged due to the belief that these foods will increase the quantity
and quality of breast milk.
Postpartum women may consume a large quantity of garlic, to aid in
the contraction of the uterus or to ‘dry the womb’.
Common foods that are traditionally avoided by postpartum women
include certain varieties of green
leafy vegetables, fibrous vegetables,
melons, pumpkin, papaya, eggplant, shell fish, eggs (in certain castes
and communities), certain varieties of fish, lemons, limes, oranges,
grapes, chillies, bell peppers, spic
es, bananas, yoghurt, and oily food.
The placenta may be disposed of by
burying it under the floor of the
room where the birth occurred, or
in the courtyard
of the house.
The placenta is buried to keep an enemy or
evil spirit from seizing it and influencing the well-being and longevity of the child. Health
professionals should offer the placenta to a postpartum woman.
Cold baths or showers are avoided. In the hospital, a postpartum
woman may accept a warm bath, but may be reluctant to have a warm
shower.
http://www.health.qld.gov.au/multicultural/health_workers/indian-preg-prof.pdf
Amy,
ReplyDeleteIn my research of birth in other countries, I came across some of the same information for the country of India. It is clear that India is not the only country that has these beliefs and traditions in child birth. In particular what country were you referring to?
-Alyssa
Alyssa,
ReplyDeleteThank you for your comment, I only researched the county of India and found this information, but it has been interesting reading about other countries on other's blogs as well.