hi Aishah

iam a midwife and an academician.i do agree with you.

Each country has certain beliefs about uneventful and happy pregnancy, and safe delivery.more or less all cultures follow these traditional practices facilitating good outcome.various studies gives a mix of results as positive and negative effects.some practices followed in India are relevant and scientifically based.for eg. after delivery all cultures insist women to be confined to bed atleast for a month.(which aids in involution of uterus)a proper diet and avoiding hot and cold foods.

iam also attaching a few references for you. hope it helps you

1.)J Obstet Gynecol Neonatal Nurs. 1997 Sep-Oct;26(5):533-9.

Traditional practices of women from India: pregnancy, childbirth, and newborn care.(Choudhry UK)

2.)MCN Am J Matern Child Nurs. 2003 Mar-Apr;28(2):74-8; quiz 79-80.

Postpartum beliefs and practices among non-Western cultures.

Kim-Godwin YS

3.)MCN Am J Matern Child Nurs. 2002 May-Jun;27(3):178-82.

Health beliefs and practices among Arab women.

Kridli SA

4.)[Eur J Contracept Reprod Health Care. 2008 Sep;13(3):282-8. doi: 10.1080/13625180802049427.

Potentially harmful traditional practices during pregnancy and postpartum.

Ayaz S1, Efe SY

Aishah Ali

I believe traditional practices has its own importance in health promotion during pregnancy and postnatal period. Many of these rituals helps in psychological adaptions, nutrition, physical activity, prevention of minor ailments, promotion of breast feeding, mother infant bonding, etc. Its really interesting to note how these practices evolved over a period of time.

Sometimes practice of these methods without understanding implication may result in negative impact too.

I am working on the traditional practices of my state Kerala, India.

Ramasubramaniam Shanthi

Thank you for sharing the reference