Native American beliefs regarding birthing/childbirth

Nurses General Nursing

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For my BSN program I am writing a cultural paper on Native Americans, and I'm having a hard time finding any information on their birthing beliefs/practices.

I did find one really good article, but it's more history than current. Does anyone know of where I can find this information?

Thanks!

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I don't birth no babies but Brooke Medicine Eagle might be able to help you. http://www.medicineeagle.com/

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Try a medline or ebsco search for Navajo childbirth. Look up Ursula Knoki-Wilson CNM; she's a medicine woman/CNM at Chinle (no longer in clinical practice from what I hear) and there's several articles featuring her. If you have access to these academic search engines, try anthropology. I've looked off and on for the same topic. You could also try google. There's not a lot out there about this topic. If you can move to work for example as a travel nurse, I suggest you work with the IHS, such as at Gallup and other facilities which have more of a traditional population; you can meet people with this knowledge who might be willing to share.

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Here is one that I found, not sure if it's good or not.

http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0838/is_127/ai_n6364735

I use this site alot to find articles: http://findarticles.com/

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Hey! I'm not sure if you have this book for nursing or maybe have access.. but "Guide to Culturally Competent Health Care" by Larry D. Purnell is what I have from UMass and it gives a pretty good overview of native americans, along with a bunch of others. easy to skim and get the info you need too.

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Hello,

I am an enrolled member of the Turtle Mountain Chippewa so I thought I could give you some insight as to the childbirthing of some of the people (including myself) I know or have seen. I would definately check out the sights and/or books that have been suggested to you. The difficult thing about any health topic and Native Americans is that each tribe is different and has their own customs. One tribe may fit some of the stories you read but others do not. Also, alot of these cultural persepectives on Native Americans may have been true in the past but since modern healthcare has came to the reservation many many years ago, Native Americans follow Western medicine. Once you find the right sources you should have no trouble getting a pretty good and diverse paper.

Most of the women on our reservation follow the traditional western medicine. The one thing that is normal for births is that every family member in the county will show up at the hospital, the entire pregnancy is exciting for everyone and ALL the family wants to be there when the birth happens. Also, alot of times the birthing mother wants the father to be and her own mother present (sometimes even the grandmother) for support. The birthing mom has no problem with expressing her needs and feelings- Native American women can be very vocal and alot do yell, scream and even swear during the process. Most of the women do choose to have epidurals. Because we are a very strong Catholic faith on our reseravation many mothers and famlies choose to have a burial mass for any miscarriage, no matter how early. Lastly, one tradition that some still practice is making a small pouch (I forgot the specific name) to put part of the umblical cord in. This pouch stays witht the infant and is believed to provide protection to the infant.

Hope all this helps.

PS: One thing I have learned from culture is that everything is vocally handed down generation to generation. You many not find an exact source or a realiable source on a medical journal website. Many websites are out there that have specific tribal members speaking of their traditions. As long as you use the correct person's name and web address then your insturctor should be able to verify that you have done your research.

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I agree with nativehunny. My husband is also a member of Turtle Mountain and so are my kids. My in-laws follow western medicine. We also have a beaded pouch for the umbilical cords for my kids.

Unfortunately, a lot of informtion about culturally competenct care for Native Americans is tribe specific and regards more traditional customs versus current practices. There are also many issues that "modern America" does not hear/know about that affect Native Americans' health.

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