Question

How does the cultural environment play a critical role during pregnancy? How might the cultural environment be similar or different for a pregnant woman and for an expectant father?

Answer 1

The development of the fetus depends on only on the genes but also gets influenced by the environment in which it is been developed. According to the stages of development of the fetus, the external environment has its effects on. the preimplantation embryos are much sensitive towards their environment. the cultural conditions and the surroundings affect the embryo production on its development. The researches have found that the immigrant women who are pregnant are in much stress condition, particularly during pregnancy and birth. Studies have found that the African women who belong to different ethnic backgrounds who shared the same ethnic background of caregivers experienced the labor less painful. Women provided emotional support to other women so as to decrease the pain of the mother. a pregnant woman is in a special state when she needs especial psychosocial assistance. The baby and the mother both can suffer from negative impacts as a result of stress during the period of pregnancy. Unintended pregnancy brings a high risk of domestic violence, stress, and depression, and ultimately negative attitude is developed for the baby. There comes to conflict with the traditional and modern approach towards the approach of pregnancy. Superstitions also affect the mind of the mother which the culture and tradition carry along with them. The cultural environment paves the path according to the traditions and beliefs for the pregnant women to tread upon. Certain instructions related to the diet, time of taking rest, the behavior of the mother, and the behavior towards the baby are given to the mother during pregnancy. Instructions like avoiding certain people whom the people consider of having powers are given to the pregnant woman. People are not allowed to talk about the baby before its birth or to mention or plan anything about it. people of certain cultures fear of some taboos which would bring uncertainties to the mother and the baby. If a loss or negative outcome of pregnancy comes, it is assumed that the family or the parents have been punished for any of their mistakes in the past. Culture distinguishes the point of pregnancy and the issues related to it to confine to women only. They don’t allow men to get involved during these processes. Midwives are at times given more importance than the nurses in the hospitals which causes in negative results. Most of the times, the mother faces stress about the expectations of the family of giving birth to a boy. These stresses are mostly born out of a culture which lays negative impact on the mother and the child both.
Culture not just have a negative impact on the mother and the child but have some positive impacts too. Woman share feelings and emotions freely with the women of same community and culture. They even get relaxed when they hear the experiences which others too have faced at some point in time. Older women who possess much knowledge and experience in this aspect give good suggestions and instructions to the mother. they also mark their presence at any time of emergency to support the mother. Although culture and traditions are bound by certain beliefs if they can be molded with the modern inventions many good results can be attained.
It has been found that the fathers who themselves were born with low birth weight to affect the growth of the child. Father’s behaviors towards pregnancy, what they feel and their relationship with the mother influence the birth outcomes. If a father is not in the favor of having the baby, the effect on the mother and the child has seen adverse as the child lacks the paternal love and support. It has been proved from the studies that the fathers who stand along with the mothers during pregnancy and support them, the risk of the death of the child is very low. Infants whose fathers were absent during the course of pregnancy have been found bearing with less weight or are born prematurely. Cultures believe that the part of the father is only confined to the specific purpose and nit during the course of pregnancy. Society always blames a mother if the infant is born of less weight or with any disability. A woman is only blamed if she gives birth to a girl child when the society wants a boy child. The nature of the society and culture is very different to a woman and a man during pregnancy.