Pregnancy, childbirth, mother and child care among the indigenous people of Zimbabwe

Abstract

Even in areas of Zimbabwe with easy access to Western-type delivery care, the majority of women are cared for and delivered by traditional birth attendants who are members of their extended family. To understand the social, cultural context of pregnancy, childbirth and subsequent maternal and child care and to use this information for the improvement of maternal and child-health care an anthropological investigation was conducted in an area near Harare, Zimbabwe from June 1983 to the end of 1984. Certain aspects of childbirth such as primagravida deliveries and the origins of peripartum complications, are intimately linked to the religious beliefs and values; other aspects such as the relationship of nutrition and pregnancy are not so linked. An understanding of the traditional concepts of pregnancy, delivery and child care is invaluable if not essential for the upgrading of pregnancy and delivery care, the elimination of harmful practices and the building of supportive links between the traditional and the formal health system.

PIP: The purpose of this paper is to present an overview picture of the belief system of Zimbabwe, some of the health practices and beliefs affecting the childbearing period and the traditional midwifery care. To understand the social, cultural context of pregnancy, childbirth and subsequent maternal and child care and to use this information for the improvement of maternal and child care, an anthropoligical investigation was conducted in an area near Harare, Zimbabwe from June 1983 to the end of 1984. The following areas are discussed: traditional beliefs and health; the developmental cycle; human growth and development; the concept of health care; beliefs and behavior during the childbearing period; use of health systems in pregnancy and childbirth; practices during pregnancy; the prenatal period; concepts of labor; the puerperium; care of the newborn baby; traditional health workers; and the stages of labor. Overall obstetrics and pediatrics in this society are inseparable from the religion and philosophy of the local people. The ceremony and ritual involved with every stage of human life forms part and parcel of the concept of the life cycle, its purpose and meaning. In local tradition it is believed that a person's growth and development are influenced by his or her interaction with the physical, social and spiritual environments. Women are viewed as responsible for fertility, nurturing and the social upbringing of their offspring. They are regarded as symbols of the social environment and are thus associated with promotion and maintenance of the individual's social health and hygiene. Men are viewed as responsible for the spiritual or moral upbringing of their offspring. They are regarded as symbols of the spiritual environment. Prenatal care is generally restricted to primigravida. Peripartum complications are ascribed to immoral and amoral reasons rather than biological concepts. To correct obstetric problems, it is necessary to understand local midwiferty practices, to eradicate harmful practices and to facilitate adoption of established practices by education.