Beliefs and practices among haitian american women in relation to childbearing

Abstract

A factor-searching study was designed to explore the beliefs and practices of Haitian American women in relation to childbearing. The sample was composed of 11 Haitian women currently residing in the United States who had had children. Data collection was by means of nonstructured interviews, conducted in Haitian Creole by the researcher. Data analysis examined distinct beliefs and practices relating to childbearing in Haiti and cultural conflicts associated with childbearing in the United States. The Haitians' cultural adaptation to the American obstetric system was revealed by their expressions of solutions to cultural conflicts. An unanticipated finding was that the crucial period of childbearing for Haitian women is after the baby has been born. It is a time of elaborate and well-defined beliefs and practices. Conversely, pregnancy, labor, and birth are seen as inevitable courses. Limitations of the study, implications for research and practice are presented.