Birthing Around the World
In Egypt, mortality of both babies and pregnant women were regarded so high that a plea for divine intervention became a rite on the day of childbirth. Hator, Aset and Tawaret were invoked to protect the life and discover the destiny of a newborn.
The Roman obstetrician Soranus (98-138 AD), wrote a book used until the 16th century describing childbirth care and common customs to observe before and after delivery. In the Middle Ages, European women were whipped to induce labor.
During the 18th century, things would change. In 1739, the first obstetric wards in Great Britain were opened, and shortly after the Scottish obstetrician, William Smellie would publish his Treatise on Theory and Practice of Midwifery 1752.
Midwives attended pregnant women and changed old customs, particularly during the next century when modern times began. In 1849, a doctor in Manchester reported three mothers and babies death after experimenting with five cases and because anesthesia was involved, a new superstitious belief was born.
The turn of the century brought more studies on pregnancy, but people kept some custom even until today. In Germany, pregnant women visit a midwife before or instead of consulting an obstetrician. Doctors are considered "optional" on the birthing day.
In several German cities, local government keeps a list of acceptable names for the newborns. Parents must choose a name from it, otherwise file a form compelling their reason asking for a non-listed name, a custom that is kept in an effort to protect children from potential ridicule after parents choose exotic or misspelled name.
In Brazil, pregnant women are meant to have a Caesarean childbirth, because it is a delivery custom, although the government is making efforts for encouraging other childbirth methods with the hope to reduce the public expense that Caesarean surgeries cause to the state.
In Turkey, there are no baby showers or special celebrations before or after the birthing day. The new mother and baby remain isolated for 20 days, after which they go from home to home visiting family and friends on an individual basis and celebrating with a special beverage.
Japan is a nation with a cultural custom that dictates 21-bed days for women after giving birth, as in Mexico old time traditions make a women stay 40 days in bed, custom which only survives in a few remote rural communities today.
The United States is multi-cultural nation where some of these customs are continued by immigrants, and others are resulting from the fusion of local and country home traditions.
For more information about ectopic pregnancy or other complications in pregnancy you can check out complications.org.uk Your Article Search Directory : Find in Articles
Recent articles in this category:
- Why Is An HPV Vaccine An Important Consideration?
In 2006, a HPV vaccine was developed for the treatment of the Human Papilloma Virus. The developmen - Is Stress Such a Big Thing (part One)?
Stress is what our minds and bodies experience as we attempt to deal with the changing environment - What To Consider With A Body Detox Diet
There are a number of things to consider if you are looking into a body detox diet. Detoxing the bod - Workout Meditaton For Focus And Results
The most important thing a person possesses is thier imagination. That is what Eintein said anyway.I - Tart Cherries - The Super Fruit Gout Relief
The History of the Tart Cherry is as amazing as its joint pain relieving ability.The tart cherry has - Basic Guide To Finding The Right Antidepressant
Depression is not a physical illness, though it might be caused by some physical illness. It is the - Workings Of The Antidepressants
An antidepressant is generally used as a psychiatric medication which is consumed in order to decre - Treating The Antidepressant Discontinuation Syndrome
An antidepressant is now generally used as a psychiatric medication which is consumed in order to d - The Use Of Antidepressant For Anxiety Treatment
Antidepressants are drugs which prevent or cure anxieties or depression. This illness is very commo - The New Antidepressant Anxiety Medications
The new antidepressant anxiety medications are mostly as effective as the older tricyclic antidepre
Most viewed articles in this category:
- Drugs - the Last Alternative for Adhd in Kids
Anyone over the age of thirty who has grown up with ADHD understands that there was not much help av - Foods To Eat To Gain Weight
Malnutrition has the same degree of problem as obesity. There are people who are too skinny, they fi - Understanding Postpartum Clothing
The same way most pregnant women dream of the day when they will begin showing for wearing maternity - Kegel Exercising for Bladder Control and Enhanced Sexual Pleasure
Kegel exercises strengthen the muscles of the pelvic floor, thereby improving the urethra and/or rec - The Use Of Weight Loss Herbs
Nothing has garnered more attention in today's world than the success or failures of weight loss pro - Five Effective Household Back Pain Treatments
Back pain treatment comes in lots of forms, from exercise to pain mediction. Standard and most wides - A Simple Acid Relux Cure
Many people today are afflicted with heartburn. If they eat food that is too spicy, they get heartbu - Herbal Remedies - Can They Cure What Ails You?
You've probably heard about herbal remedies before and how they can treat a variety of health proble - Natural Relief for Tinnitus - What are your Choices
Natural Relief For Tinnitus - Alternative Options Did you know that there are an estimated 50 t - Signs of Anorexia
All types of media information advices the population more and more often to eat healthy and exercis
