The cultural beliefs of Jordanian women during childbearing: implications for nursing care.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the cultural and religious beliefs and practices about childbirth among Jordanian women and to indicate how these beliefs and practices can be integrated into the maternity care of Muslim women in general, especially those immigrating to Western countries.


BACKGROUND
The physiology of childbirth is similar for all women worldwide, but the surroundings in which it takes place makes it a unique experience for each woman. Every society has cultural practices and beliefs related to childbirth, and what is considered to be a vital practice in one culture may be seen as insignificant in another.


METHODS
A qualitative research design with an interpretative phenomenological approach was used to conduct semi-structured, audiotaped interviews with nine Jordanian mothers.


RESULTS
Five main themes identified: childbearing is a blessing of Allah, a time for special maternal care, a time for maternal self-renewal, a time for maternal spiritual purification and a time to prepare for the sacrifices of motherhood.


CONCLUSIONS
The findings reflected the sensitivity of the grace of God in all the interviews, illustrating the permeating influence of religious beliefs on traditional Jordanian childbirth practices.


CONCLUSIONS
In planning policies, health services globally should acknowledge the diverse need of migrant women during childbirth, in order to gain women's trust in maternity services. To offer sensitive care, nurses need to address mothers' cultural and spiritual needs and meet these needs respectfully.


CONCLUSIONS
To improve the childbearing experience, maternity staff should consider these themes to help build trust with mothers based on an appreciation of their spiritual and cultural beliefs.
Maternal and Child Health Nursing Department, Faculty of Nursing, The University of Jordan, Amman, Jordan.
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Bawadi
Community and Mental Health Nursing Department, Faculty of Nursing, Jordan University of Science and Technology, Irbid, Jordan.
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Al-Hamdan
D000328:Adult; D003466:Cultural Characteristics; D036861:Delivery, Obstetric; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice / Q000208:ethnology; D006801:Humans; D007514:Islam / Q000523:psychology*; D007597:Jordan; D008427:Maternal Health Services; D008875:Middle Aged; D009035:Mothers / Q000523:psychology*; D009773:Obstetric Nursing; D036301:Qualitative Research; D055815:Young Adult
Childbirth; Childbirth Practices; Cultural Beliefs; Cultural Practices; Culturally Sensitive Care; Jordan; Phenomenology; Qualitative; Women