title: Childbirth across cultures: research and practice.
abstract: Countries and cultures differ in their approach to childbirth, as well as in their research practices. This paper examines 10 surveys of women's reports of their labor and birth in seven countries spanning North America and Western Europe and Eastern Europe. Similarities and differences in practice are highlighted, and the methodological difficulties of conducting research in cross-cultural settings are examined. This paper discusses innovative and culturally unique perinatal practices that are not revealed by such surveys and stresses the importance of sharing such ideas globally.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Ontario, Canada.
authors.forename: Beverley
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Chalmers
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002170:Canada; D002585:Cesarean Section / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D003431:Cross-Cultural Comparison; D036861:Delivery, Obstetric / Q000379:methods / Q000706:statistics & numerical data / Q000639:trends; D005061:Europe, Eastern; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007743:Labor, Obstetric; D009035:Mothers / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D036801:Parturition; D011247:Pregnancy; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D006113:United Kingdom; D014481:United States