Description
Book SynopsisThis essential collection on maternal and child health focuses on the rites of giving birth from a cross-cultural perspective. The distinguished list of contributors describe the many customs surrounding birth through infancy, highlighting a wide range of variation in practices across cultures. They discuss attitudes and techniques in childbirth, the interaction between human evolutionary form and birthing procedures, the influence of societal factors that differentiate Western from non-Western maternal birthing positions, and the art of midwifery. Also treated are less well-known areas of birthing such as the imagery of birthing, placenta rituals, and popular beliefs about the amniotic membrane called a caul. In addition, the authors explore the humoral medical tradition used in birthing, the possible influence of cultural practices on Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS), customs and beliefs regarding breastfeeding, weaning, swaddling, and finally a sociobiological perspective on earl
Table of ContentsChapter 1 Introduction Chapter 2 Chapter 1: Childbirth in Cross-Cultural Perspective Chapter 3 Chapter 2: Evolutionary Environments of Human Birth and Infancy: Insights to Apply to Contemporary Life Chapter 4 Chapter 3: The Evolution of Maternal Birthing Position Chapter 5 Chapter 4: Cross-Cultural Perspectives on Midwifery Chapter 6 Chapter 5: Imagery and Symbolism in the Birth Practices of Traditional Cultures Chapter 7 Chapter 6: The Cultural Anthropology of the Placenta Chapter 8 Chapter 7: The Social History of the Caul Chapter 9 Chapter 8: Roasting, Smoking and Dieting in Response to Birth: Malay Confinement in Cross-Cultural Perspective Chapter 10 Chapter 9: Sudden Infant Death Syndrome in Cross-Cultural Perspective: Is Infant-Parent Co-Sleeping Protective? Chapter 11 Chapter 10: The Cultural Characteristics of Breast-Feeding: A Survey Chapter 12 Chapter 11: Culture and the Problem of Weaning Chapter 13 Chapter 12: Child Rearing in Certain European Countries Chapter 14 Chapter 13: Ethnic Differences in Babies
