Social Customs and Practices Associated with Pregnancy and Child Bearing in Low Socio-Economic Communities

Abstract

Child birth is a very significant event in a married woman’s life. She is filled with fear and anxiety mixed with a feeling of joy and expectation of the coming child. Apart from physical care psychological care and assurance are equally important. Present study deals with the women of poor workers of the factories who have to undergo deliveries either at home or ill equipped hospitals causing much suffering and even mortality. Detailed history of such 250 women was taken in a questionnaire proforma prepared for the study. A history of age, caste, education, para, occupation, husband’s income and knowledge about pre and post-natal care was recorded. Thus 21 tables were made of each case and analyzed in detail. It is a practice to marry girls at an early age as they feel it ensures their safety. Husband’s income was quite low and 50% of them were uneducated. 30.8% could only read and only 8.8% were graduate. Illiteracy was a major problem in safe delivery of the child. Old traditional customs were followed some which were not hygienic. Only 19% were employed. Rest were only house wives. Ground delivery was preferred in 74% cases, squatting position in 71.2% and 56% preferred sand in place of mattress. All these are not preferred methods currently. In the second stage of labor birth canal was lubricated in only 8.8% cases. In 76% cases massage of abdomen was done to hasten the delivery. The cord was cut mainly by knife after delivery. Placentas were mainly buried after delivery (74.8%). 56% of women remained lying in for about a week after delivery. 78% mothers took their first bath 3 to 6 days after delivery.