title: An exploratory study of traditional birthing practices of Chinese, Malay and Indian women in Singapore.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  to explore the traditional birthing practices of Singaporean women.
  
  
  METHODS
  a qualitative study using a phenomenological approach. Data were collected using individual interviews, which were audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim. Colaizzi's phenomenological method was used to analyse the data.
  
  
  METHODS
  obstetric outpatient clinics in a tertiary hospital in Singapore.
  
  
  METHODS
  a purposive sample of 30 women, 1-3 months postpartum.
  
  
  RESULTS
  two broad themes emerged-following tradition and challenging tradition.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Singaporean women experiencing pregnancy and childbirth follow tradition through the influence of their mother and mother-in-law and because of worry over consequences that may result if they do not. Tradition is also challenged through the modification or rejection of traditional practices and changing family roles and expectations.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  health professionals need to provide accurate information on traditional birthing practices and scientific evidence to support or refute such practices with the aim of preventing women from adhering to practices that are hazardous to them and the baby.
authors.affiliation: Alice Lee Centre for Nursing Studies, National University of Singapore, Level 1, Clinical Research Centre, Block MD11, 10 Medical Drive, 117597 Singapore, Singapore. g0601057@nus.edu.sg
authors.forename: Eliana
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Naser
authors.forename: Sandra
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Mackey
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Arthur
authors.forename: Piyanee
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Klainin-Yobas
authors.forename: Helen
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Debra K
authors.initials: DK
authors.lastname: Creedy
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001294:Attitude to Health / Q000208:ethnology*; D002681:China / Q000208:ethnology; D003466:Cultural Characteristics; D005195:Family Relations; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007194:India / Q000208:ethnology; D008296:Malaysia / Q000208:ethnology; D008425:Maternal Behavior / Q000208:ethnology*; D009034:Mother-Child Relations; D009321:Natural Childbirth / Q000523:psychology*; D036801:Parturition / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000523:psychology; D011247:Pregnancy; D012846:Singapore / Q000453:epidemiology; D012944:Social Support; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult