Cross-cultural Obstetrics Black women's birth experiences: Changing traditions

Abstract

Black traditions regarding pregnancy and birth are explored amongst women experiencing hospital or clinic births in both rural and urban environments. A total of 171 Pedi women were interviewed with regard to their knowledge of and adherence to traditional Black approaches to childbirth. Traditions regarding signs of pregnancy, events during pregnancy and delivery, practices regarding early infant care and sources of knowledge about these experiences are explored.In general a lack of adherence to traditional approaches to pregnancy and birth is revealed in the sample studied. Exceptions to this occur with regard to the husband's role in labour and the early post-partum period, as well as to the women's need to keep news of their pregnancies to themselves. Results suggest that women are turning to medical professionals, particularly nurses, as sources of knowledge about pregnancy, birth and infant care, rather than to traditional sources of such information.