Traditional practices regarding pregnancy, labour, postpartum period and family planning used by women living in Kutahya

The aim of this descriptive study was to determine traditional practices about pregnancy, labour, the postpartum period, family planning and abortus effected mother and child health and using of health services in married women aged 15-75 years and living in Ihsaniye, Körs and Dogarslan villages of Kütahya. The population of research was composed of  312married women aged 15-75years. The sample of research was included 150 women accepted the research. The research was carried out between January and Jun2007 with face to face interview. The study data was collected with a questionnaire form developed by researchers. 38%of women were aged between 31and46 years. 56.7% of women, respectively, were primary school graduates. Reproductive history showed that 51.3% of women had more than four pregnancies, 58.7% had 0-2children, 40% had labour in home.Although women have used contemporary practices most of them have used traditional practices. 91.3%of women had traditional beliefs relating to become pregnant and cure infertility.For example; liying up legs after sexual intercourse, making a vow, going to shrine, going to thermal springs, making a wish in desire tree. 24%women used traditional practices such as drinking henna, cleaning uterine, lifting heavy something, jumping from high floor for unwanted pregnancy. In order to predict the gender of the expected baby, 26%of the women used traditional practices.To protect the baby and the mother from diseases within the 40 days after birth, 49.3% of women used traditional practices such as not letting the mother go out until after 40days, not having sexual intercourse within the 40days after birth, notdrinking a lot of water. In addition this research showed that age and education of women affect significantly practices and beliefs of women. Consequently we have found that traditional practices are still used. As health professionals should be aware of the cultural values that influence their clients’care.