A comparison of traditional practices used in pregnancy, labour and the postpartum period among women in Turkey and Iran.
OBJECTIVE
to examine and compare women's traditional practices regarding pregnancy, labour and the postpartum period.


METHODS
descriptive and comparative field research.


METHODS
face-to-face interviews with women at home in Turkey and Iran.


METHODS
300 women over 15 years of age from rural areas of Turkey (n=150) and Iran (n=150).


RESULTS
Turkey and Iran, two Middle Eastern countries, generally have similar traditional practices. It is surprising that some traditional practices are still used, although, in both countries, a number of contemporary practices have replaced them. Although some of the traditional practices, such as consuming low/high caloric food and herb drinks, may be harmless, others, such as jumping from a high place and pressing on the abdomen, may be completely harmful. Iranian women use traditional practices to reduce engorgement of the breast, and Turkish women use traditional practices to increase the amount of breast milk. Although traditional practices are less commonly used to reduce vaginal bleeding in both countries, they pose danger to the health of both mother and baby.


CONCLUSIONS
various traditional practices about pregnancy, labour and the postpartum period take place in these two countries. Health professionals should be aware that pregnant women sometimes act on questionable advice concerning traditional practices.
Ozsoy
Süheyla A
SA
Public Health Departmant, Ege University Nursing High School, Bornova, Izmir, Turkey. suheyla.ozsoy@ege.edu.tr
Katabi
Vida
V
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003431:Cross-Cultural Comparison; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007492:Iran; D007743:Labor, Obstetric; D008519:Medicine, Traditional; D008875:Middle Aged; D011181:Postnatal Care; D011247:Pregnancy / Q000208:ethnology*; D011295:Prenatal Care; D012424:Rural Population; D014421:Turkey