One issue in 2011 baby Zone I came across a great article about pregnancy and baby care customs from around the world. This article listed 10 or so customs reported from around the world, but the main idea was true in all the cultures.
"From Syria to Sri Lanka, some rules appear universal—less tuna, more water, and no soft cheese. Don't sleep on your stomach or your back; the left side is best. Want a smarter baby? Play music for your belly, preferably classical. Swimming and yoga are great exercise… but you'll need a note in Italy (Curley Mathews, 2010). For every similarity, there are ten differences in each place. I found it strange that in some countries doctors requested patients to stop eating fresh fruits, but allowed them to drink wine and coffee. All cultures and countries have different beliefs, many of which are not based on any true medical finding. I also teach child development and teen parenting, so I show my students films on "old wives tales" and "strange cultural beliefs about pregnancy"; so many of the ideas in this article I had already heard. Most of the beliefs revolve around eating habits, proper weight gain, breastfeeding, housework, and newborn/child care( Curley Mathews, 2010)
I saw this come true in my own pregnancy and birthing experience and even now raising my son; my husband and my families are completely different, so we face challenges daily when it comes to "does and don'ts. Blending together cultures can be extremely hard, because both sides swear their ideas are superior to the other; it defiantly puts the parents in an awkward situation of picking sides.
As a new or "old" parent, we have to figure out what works best for our child and family. It is hard at first to let other people know how you feel about certain ideas and beliefs, but it is important to learn how to handle situations on your own and understand you are doing what is best for your child. It was hard to tell my mom she had to leave after staying to help for 2 months (this is part of our culture, but my husband started feeling pushed out), but to maintain a happy home I had to politely state our feelings; she actually understood. Same situation with his mother, he had to eventually explain our new family religious views, and she took our thoughts and understood it was our life and our choices.
Reference
Curley Mathews, C. (2011). 10 surprising pregnancy and baby care customs from around the world. Retrieved from http://www.babyzone.com/pregnancy/is-it-safe/surprising-pregnancy-and-baby-care-customs_71534 
Some countries seemm to have far-reaching cultural traditions surrounding child birth.My family didn't really have any traditions surrounding birth, but it sounds like yours did.I had children thirty years ago here in the U.S. At the time I was told not to gain much weight. I think it was around 10-15 pounds. That was impossible for me. I don't know what the recommendation is now, but I spoke to someone about 15 years ago who said they were told to gain 25-30 pounds. So I think the birth process, for a lot of us, has a lot to do with whatever the current medical research says. I'm not sure my children could have been healthier if I had gained less or not, but maybe the doctor would have been happier with me!
ReplyDeleteI had my children over 30 years ago, things have changed a great deal since then. Now instead of being in a labor room and moving over to the delivery room and than moving from the labor table to the delivery table (between contractions) women now in many hospitals are in birthing rooms, labor and delivery room all in one. A more comfortable experience especially for new mothers. When I had my daughter 37 years ago, no one could come in the delivery room with me, I stayed in the hospital for 5 days. Now once you have given birth you are sent home the next day.
ReplyDeleteI understand you doing the research when you first became pregnant on which birthing plan and pregnancy experience was right for you. It does making you want to read and do research on different things. Me myself when I became pregnant I read different things but I didn't worry too much about it kind of like tricking myself into believing that it wouldn't be a problem and just a little pain for a time period and it would be all over and my little angel would be here. I believe that’s what helped me out a lot during my pregnancy.
ReplyDeleteWow, don't eat fresh fruit, but chocolate and wine is ok hummm :-/
ReplyDeleteYeah, I had lots of magazines too. Isn't it funny how so many people think they know what's best?
I have learned that the mother will always know what's best it comes naturally to us, and we can trust our own inner feelings.
Darlene Thomas