Cultural Perceptions of Childbirth

Abstract

The purpose of this comparative cross-cultural study was to describe the cultural/religious perceptions of the childbirth experiences of selected childbearing women. Finnish Lutheran women's beliefs and perceptions of childbirth were compared with those of Canadian Orthodox Jewish and American Mormon women. Methodological triangulation was achieved through semistructured, open-ended interviews and use of the Utah Test for the Childbearing Year (UTCY). Canadian Orthodox Jewish women showed a significantly higher level of reliance on authority figures to ensure positive outcomes and significantly less active participation in childbirth care decisions. The Finnish Lutheran women showed less valuing of childbearing and childrearing, which may be related to a less active religious belief system and the view by Finnish women that motherhood is only one of a multiplicity of roles viewed as important. There is a need to understand and appreciate the cultural beliefs and values of childbearing women to facilitate more culturally sensitive and holistic nursing care.