Culture & Birth

I have always been someone who loves culture. I love learning the different religious beliefs, daily habits, food, and thoughts on life. We live in a world where the number of different cultures is huge! Inter-cultural relationships and marriages are more and more common, thus beginning a new culture that mixes the two different cultures of these individuals. And perhaps they find other cultural aspects they like and incorporate them into their own culture. Religion plays a big part of culture as well. It can be the drive behind certain cultural procedures that each family incorporates in their birthing experience and how it affects them mentally and emotionally.

What is crazy, so many people know about culture, yet have no true understanding of just how vastly different they can be. I read an article this morning on several different birth cultures of different countries. When I read through this I learned things that actually make you gasp because the practice seems extreme to us.

Pregnancy, birth and postpartum has so many different aspects to it, being aware of the cultural beliefs and learning about them individually is so important in the role of a Doula. In some cultures, the dad is not a part of the birth in any way. In others, his role is important. Knowing simple things like that can change the whole approach to the way we support the birth and postpartum phase. Supporting dad in the way that actually helps him can make or break the entire birth experience.

The beauty of culture will always be around. It is ever changing and growing and no two births are alike. As a Doula, keeping culture as an important aspect in the support you provide is essential. It's OK to ask. It's OK to do your own personal research.

Elevate Her Doula will work to keep the beauty of culture a big part of every birthing experience I assist with.

The article I read is Cultural Birthing Practices and Experiences. Resource from the Baulkham Hills Holroyd Parramatta Migrant Resource Centre.