Pregnancy and the Hawaiian CultureBy Christina Griffin, Kristy McKune, JoAnn Beltran, Sherri Hoyt

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IRneht8d2QA

Anybody who has been to Hawaii knows that it is different, unique, special and unforgettable. What sets these islands apart from the rest of the world is the native culture-- a culture that is filled with fascinating customs, music, legends, traditions and values.

Many years ago, people in the Hawaiian culture believed that their life force came from the Gods. Today, though, some ancient beliefs might be seen as superstitious.

Some ideas about pregnancy and labor have been lost through cultural assimilation; however, many are still put into practice today.

Care during pregnancy

Kahuna pale keiki (Midwife) and Kahuna ho 'ohanao (Childbirth Specialist) are the primary caretakers for pregnant women; educating them in nutrition, exercise, prenatal and postnatal care. 

La'au lapa 'au (herbalists) assist in finding the right treatments. Various blossoms and plants are used for infertility, quick delivery, to ease pain of childbirth, or to lubricate the birth canal; a nut oil is used to prevent stretch marks, and specific plant leaves are used to help milk production.

The significant other is encouraged to attend prenatal visits with the expecting mother, starting in the first trimester; It provides an opportunity for the baby's father to be involved with the pregnancy. 75% of Hawaiian mothers receive prenatal care.

Pregnant women should take it easy, no strenuous activity!  Running, jumping, lifting heavy objects, or even riding in a car on a bumpy road are examples of activities thought to cause harm to the developing fetus.

Care during pregnancy, continued During pregnancy, It was believed that pregnant women should avoid

eating food that would harm the baby. For example, foods with a strong flavor like onions, or hot foods like chili pepper were believed to cause harm to the fetus. The pregnant woman would be encouraged to eat greens like young taro leaves, or sweet potato leaves because it was thought that these things would help build the body of the baby. The pregnant woman could not eat raw fish because of the slimy texture, which was thought to make the mother and baby sick. Berries were also discouraged because it was thought to cause discoloration to the baby's body

The pregnant woman eats a reduced diet in the third trimester due to fear of a large fetus and a difficult birth. 

It was believed that bathing in the ocean prior to delivery would help loosen the baby because of the soothing currents of the ocean. It was also done to ensure that painduring labor would be more tolerable.

Special Considerations about the unborn child The mother had to be positive to ensure the child would be born with

good character because the behavior of the mother was believed to greatly influence the unborn child's. For example: If the mother was jealous throughout the pregnancy, the baby would be born with a jealous disposition. If the mother was a hard worker, the child to would be industrious and hardworking.

It was believed that a pregnant woman should not wear a lei or necklaces because the child would be born with the umbilical cord wrapped around the neck. If a lei is given, the pregnant woman would accept it but would drape it around her wrist.

Gender is believed to be discovered by the shape of the expectant mother’s stomach, and if the baby is high or low in the stomach:-Pointed = Boy-Carrying low = Boy-Round = Girl-Carrying high = Girl

Labor and Pain Control The significant other is usually present during labor and delivery. This

encourages infant and family bonding. Another family member or assisting person (Grandma, aunt, friend,

midwife, etc) may also be present, if it is ok with the pregnant woman.

Labor & delivery without the use of pain medication is believed to be best for the mother and baby. It is believed that pain medication may harm the baby; pain is considered to be part of a natural birth.

Showing emotion during labor is discouraged and disgraceful and looked upon as a sign of weakness. For some Hawaiian women, it is considered embarrassing to vocalize pain while in the throes of labor.

The laboring woman would often squat or kneel over Kapa (a cloth made from Wauke tree) or lauhala mats (made from leaves of the hala tree [Pandanus tectorius]) with someone supporting her from behind, as a favored laboring position.

Newborn Traditions Coconut Oil is used to treat the baby's dry, flaky skin and scalp. Naming of the baby depends on the parents and

the family’s tradition:-Some have one person that names all of the babies in the family; others have a grandparent or a teacher name the baby.-If a name was presented in a dream, it is seen as a name given by the 'aumakua (ancestoral guardian spirits). A child must be named accordingly or risk being sickly.

Lomi Lomi (Hawaiian massage) is used on newborns to resolve molding (the normal elongation of the head after birth).

Breastfeeding is highly encouraged. The baby should not be out of the house for the first 3 months, except for

doctor’s visits. The first child was sometimes given to the grandparents to raise

Postpartum Care and Management The placenta and umbilical cord are kept in a safe place until the baby is 1

month old. There is then a ceremony where the family prays over them, and depending on the family’s traditions, they are offered to the family's god-part for safe-keeping to "safeguard and protect" the baby or are washed, hidden, and buried within one year; sometimes a tree would be planted over it. It was believed carelessness with these items would cause harm to the child.

After birth, a woman is encouraged to wrap ti leaves around her abdomen and tie them tight with a towel; this is to be worn for 6 months to one year. It is believed that this helps the uterus return to its pre-pregnancy state.

Traditionally, new moms stay in bed for the first month to rest and recover and only care for the baby, while the family takes care of everything else in the household and helps some with the baby.

Myths and Folklore A particular type of seaweed was recommended to eat if the pregnant

woman has iron-deficient anemia.

Certain native Hawaiian drinks are prepared for the pregnant woman to flush out any impurities.

To prepare the mother's body for labor, petals of a particular flower are sometimes eaten.

Chairs need to be dusted off before a pregnant woman sits down. This will scare away any spirits that could harm her baby.

The mother of the pregnant woman rubs coconut oil to the belly to help keep the baby healthy.

It is believed that at least five children make up an ideal family size.

Many times, a family member, usually the father of the unborn child, was trained by the elders in obstetrics.

Hawaii community College. (n.d.). Traditional health beliefs: Hawaiian. Retrieved from http://www.hawaii.hawaii.edu/ nursing/RNHawaiian10.html. Retrieved September 1, 2013.

Kona Hawaiian Culture. Traditional Hawaiian Values & Beliefs about Pregnancy & Childbirth. Retrieved from http://www.hawaii.hawaii.edu/nursing/RNHawaiian11.html.

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