Childbearing Experience As A Sociocultural Reflection

Santoshi Kandula
NURS 315
Topic Critique 1

Topic: Birth and the Childbearing Experience as a Sociocultural Reflection

Throughout the readings and in-class activities, particular subtleties and sociocultural influences became evident in relation to the topic of Birthing and Prenatal care. Different cultures, in a plethora of places around the world, view birthing practices differently and approach care and medicine based on tradition and cultural values.
Cultural factors play a major role in the childbearing and birthing experience. Various tradition values are imperative in determining “proper” care and practices. These values are often seen as a necessity by the patient and her family and peers. Child birth, often times signifies celebration

For example, in “MidSummer Christmas” by Gina Catena, the author recounts the birthing practices that she had observed through Yayasan Bumi Sehat. The author details the importance of Bali Hindu Dharma ,” a centuries old religious tradition which places high value on families, children and their gods” (MidSummer Christmas 1). Robin Lim, the founder of Yayasan Bumi Sehat, assures the author of an incoming birth, as a grandmother chants an old traditional/religious saying in the midst of her daughter’s childbearing experience. Such religious practices, and related rituals, are common in many countries, not only Indonesia, and it is important and recognized for clinicians to be culturally aware of disparate practices from the more normalized western

The literature review titled “Women and Birth”, as aforementioned, recounts various studies related to Childbearing traditions of Indian women and how they are adapted in foreign countries, such as Australia. While a comprehensive study and a plethora of evidence was presented, the literature review lacked an emotional connection to the audience and traditions described. The author masterfully presented a variety of sources and organized the traditions of childbearing practices into five main categories: “diversity and disparity; social context of childbirth and marriage; diet based on Ayurveda; pollution theory and confinement; and finally, rituals and customs”. While each category was explored in detail, there definitely could have been more emphasis regarding the view of these women on childbearing disparities in Australia compared to their origin. While the struggle of “negotiating between their old and new cultural identities” was presented, the degree of which it was an issue was not addressed and could have been more elaborated to provide health care providers with a substantial recounting of this issue and practice. In a similar sense. the study conducted regarding the “Use of traditional botanical medicines during pregnancy in rural Rwanda” , presents a multitude of evidence regarding traditional medicine in prenatal care. Various consequences, benefits, and societal values are