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The Synergy of Cultural Diversity in Childbirth
by Zakiyyah S. Madyun
The author acknowledges the universal spirituality that connects us all as God's creatures and the universal desire of all women to want exactly the same thing in birth: a safe delivery and a good, healthy baby -- regardless of their cultural diversity. The article brings to the forefront women's responsibility as the first teachers of mankind to shape and form society, to make certain that every woman, daughter, sister, friend, patient, mother, wife, and mentor is educated about her needs, is allowed and encouraged to communicate her needs, and is encouraged to make every effort to accept nothing less.
The Hazards of Stereotyping
by Mickey Gillmor
This article examines the importance of avoiding stereotypes when discussing multiculturalism. Assumed traits of Americans and Hispanics are detailed. How to be effective care providers by not allowing our rudimentary knowledge of another culture to obscure the distinctive characteristics, needs, and requests of the women we encounter is discussed.
Birthing Among the Amish
by Anita Showalter
The Amish are a religious and cultural group with strict adherence to community values and traditions. They believe in a simple lifestyle and lead their lives in the most natural way possible. The author describes how their religious views, philosophy, and lifestyle have broad effects on their birthing experiences and ease of delivery.
Evidence-Based Maternity Care and Labor Support
by Heather Brown, Cheryl Nikodem, Paul Garner, and Justus Hofmeyr
This article is the ICEA 2000 International Convention presentation by Dr. Heather Brown. She reports on the status of maternity care in South Africa and how she and her colleagues are trying to influence that care based on the use of evidence-based practice. A research project whose goal is to implement a labor support program in health systems and evaluate the influence on maternity care is detailed. The Better Births Initiative, a global program to promote humane, evidence-based childbirth care, is also discussed.
To download and view this article (in pdf format), click here.
Accessing Appropriate Health Care Services for Immigrant Women in Canada
by Anna Ling
Many immigrant women come from countries where the medical care system is very different from that in North America. Their beliefs and practices surrounding pregnancy, childbirth, and the postpartum period may be foreign to many health care providers as well. This article illustrates various obstacles, in particular the information and cultural barriers, which prevent many immigrant women and their families from getting appropriate medical services and receiving optimal care during the childbearing year. Ways to address these barriers in preparing immigrant women to give birth in Canada are discussed.
Childbirth Education in Greece: The Past, Present Practices, and Future Challenges
by Leah Taousani-Ziogas
The author describes the history of childbirth education in Greece. She discusses how Greek mythology influenced labor, birth, and midwifery in the past and how the "institutionalization" of childbirth moved birth from the home to the hospital and physician care. Present childbirth education practices in Greece are described and recommendations for the future are listed.
Being "Humanly" Sensitive
by Jan S. Mallak
Varying cultures approach pregnancy, birth, and postpartum uniquely and it's appropriate for families to respect their customs and heritage. That should be encouraged and nurtured by educators and doulas. Their main purpose, however, is to prepare clients for childbirth so it truly is a safe, satisfying, and memorable family event. It is not to worry about always being politically correct. The author describes how to be culturally sensitive by being compassionate, professional, and diplomatic.
Family-Centered Maternity and Newborn Care: Canadian National Guidelines
by Linda Uhrich
This article describes the background, development, and guiding principles of the new Canadian national guidelines on family-centered maternity and newborn care.
Resources
by Linda Uhrich
Cultural Diversity
Information Update
by Ann Behnke
Nwoga, Imelda A. 2000. African-American mothers use stories for family sexuality education. Maternal Child Nursing 25, no. 1: 31-36.
Willis, W.O. 1999. Culturally competent nursing care during the perinatal period. Journal of Perinatal and Neonatal Nursing 13, no. 3: 45-59.
Statistics
by Dale King
Cultural Diversity within the Hispanic Community
International Issues
by susan Elliott
Maternity Care in Germany and South Africa
Nutrition News
by Davorka Monti
Food Customs and Their Role in Pregnancy and Infant Feeding
Political Issues
by Naomi Bromberg Bar-Yam
Genetic Disorders and Ethnicity |
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