Cross-Cultural Guide to Birth Rites from Selected Nations
National Origin of Your Client/Family
Rites You May Observe Before, When, and/or After Birth
Afghanistan (population 89% Muslim) Use of traditional birth attendant (dais) Breast-feeding nearly universal BCGa at birth
Albania (population 70% Muslim, 20% Orthodox, 10% Catholic)
BCG at birth
Algeria (population 99% Muslim) Father not present at delivery Baby wrapped in swaddling clothes Breast-feeding common, BCG at birth
Australia (population 76% Christian) Physician delivers, father usually present Breast-feeding BCG at birth
Bahrain (population 100% Muslim) BCG at birth
Bangladesh (population 83% Muslim, 16% Hindu, 1% other)
Mother prays postpartum, remains indoors up to 40 days Only husband visits Objects placed over door to prevent evil spirits Breast-feeding BCG at birth
Belize (population 90% Christian) Fifty percent of children born out of wedlock Christened before visitors allowed, to prevent evil eye Bottle-feeding preferred BCG at birth
Brazil (population 70% Catholic, 30% other)
Fathers not present during labor and delivery Forty-day rest period for mother Short-term breast-feeding BCG at birth
Cambodia Seek prenatal care at 5 to 6 months of pregnancy
Kampuchea (population 95% Buddhist) Do not compliment newborn to prevent evil spirits Breast-feeding BCG at birth
Chad (population 44% Muslim) Female circumcision BCG at birth
China (population 97% atheist and eclectic)
Fathers do not come into labor and delivery Newborn considered 1 year at birth Breast-feeding