Historical Transition: A Comparison of Customs, Believes, and Practices Regarding Pregnancy and Childbirth Between Resource-Rich and Resource-Poor Settings

Objectives: This study was conducted to evaluate personal pregnancy and childbirth experiences from both resource-rich and resource-poor settings, to gain an understanding of women’s ability to face pregnancy and childbirth experiences through a comparison of their experiences, especially from the view point of customs, believes, and practices.

Methods: The study participants were 8 elderly women (4 Japanese and 4 Tanzanian women) with experiences of pregnancy and childbirth during the1940s and 1950s, and 12 women (4 Japanese and 8 Tanzanians) who are currently in the reproductive age and who have experiences of pregnancy and delivery. Individual in-depth interviews using a semi-structured interview guide were conducted by local languages for the study participants from August to October 2009. The interview guide consisted of questions regarding 1) place and type of birth attendant at their deliveries, 2) customs, believes and practices during pregnancy, delivery, and postpartum, 3) risks and complications of pregnancy, delivery, and postpartum, and their seeking behavior toward risks and complications. The data was analyzed using content analysis according to the qualitative analytical framework.

Results: In both countries and both periods, women attempted to maintain a healthy lifestyle during pregnancy, delivery, and the postpartum period. However, the details of these practices were different depending on place of residence and period with available resources under the condition each in which the pregnancy and childbirth occurred. The majority of Tanzanian women mentioned some risks and/or complications during pregnancy, delivery, and the postpartum period contrary to the experiences of women in Japan.

Conclusion: This study demonstrated that utilization of wisdoms regarding protections and handling of complications, which have been obtained through women’s life and society are important for healthy maternity life in resource-poor settings, but community mobilization and contributions with social and cultural consideration to individual women and pregnancy and childbirth are also important.