The United States is known as the “melting pot” of cultural diversity, this holds true especially in this area of the country. As a healthcare provider it is important to care for a patient and maintain his/her culture as much as possible. Unfortunately many healthcare providers are not aware of the diversity of a particular culture. Your assignment is to choose a particular culture and write a paper about the maternal/child aspect of that culture. Below is information that you may want to include in your paper (this list is not all-inclusive):
- Family planning
· How does this culture value the birth of a boy versus the birth of a girl?
· What effect does culture play on the number of children a couple has?
· What are the contraceptive practices in this culture?
- Antepartum
· Explain cultural habits or rituals once a woman does become pregnant?
· How does this culture perceive prenatal care?
- Intrapartum
· Explain how this culture views the birthing process.
· Home delivery versus hospital setting.
· What preference is there for pain management?
· How do women act during labor? (loud, stoic, etc.)
· Are there any birth rituals that are practiced when a child is born?
- Postpartum
· Are there any special rituals that are done with the placenta?
· What are some rituals that might occur after delivery?
· What is the preferred method of infant feeding? Breast or bottle
· Are there any cultural rituals that are performed on the baby after birth?