Pregnancy and Child Birth
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Polynesia is rich in culture. There are many similar beliefs and practices that have to do with pregnancy and childbirth. Some of these beliefs and practices are quite unfamiliar to those in the United States.
Pregnancy A woman’s mother is often a large part of the pregnancy starting from the taking of the pregnancy test to the birth of the child. The pregnancy test will either be at the doctor’s office or an over the counter test. The mother and female elders are expected to teach the pregnant woman about taking care of herself and the baby during the pregnancy. These will include the different healthy habits, traditions, and taboos for pregnancy. The elders, healers, midwives, or doctors are entrusted to the prenatal care. Pregnant women in Polynesia are well cared for throughout their community. They encouraged to eat fish and to even drink fish broth to make their babies big and healthy. This is in contrast to the United States where pregnant women are encouraged to be very careful about what kind and how much fish they consume due to the fear of mercury content. Belly massages are also very common and often done with coconut oil by the mothers of the pregnant women. This is done to keep the mother and baby relaxed. Pregnant women are to not wear anything that is wrapped around their neck, because this is believed to cause the umbilical cord to wrap around the babies’ neck. They are also discouraged from doing any heavy work. Childbirth Polynesian women give birth at home or in the hospital. In either place there are typically no males present, and the mother of the pregnant woman and the female elders are present at the birth, but not the father to protect the woman’s modesty. Those present for support and help can deny the woman pain killers, and discourage her from crying out in pain. They coach the woman through her breathing and give massages to ease discomfort and pain. Once the baby is born the placenta is taken and buried or wrapped and thrown into the ocean. The grandmother, mother, or elders of the woman name the baby typically after a family. The community then holds a celebration for the new life. Postnatal The new mother and baby often stay with the new grandmother and are taken care of by her and the elders for at least a month. The new mother does not do any heavy work during this time. Breast feeding is both encouraged and common. They believe the bigger the baby is, the healthier it is. As the baby ages, it is believed that the community has a responsibility to help raise the child. Rheo Boerem |