Transcript Muslim culture practices in birth

CULTURALLY APPROPRIATE
MATERNITY NURSING CARE FOR
THE MUSLIM MOTHER
Maternity Cultural Competency
Muslim Culture Refresher
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Eye contact- Muslims typically will avoid direct eye contact during a
conversation as a sign of respect for the speaker.
Touch- Muslim patients avoid excessive touch between members of the opposite
gender or strangers, including shaking hands, hugging, or patting the
shoulder.
Handedness- The left hand is considered unclean in many Muslim
cultures (used in toileting) To avoid offence, use the right hand for feeding,
administering medications, or handing something to a Muslim patient.
Dress- Muslim women are expected to wear loose clothing that covers their arms,
chest and legs. Many Muslims women also wear a head covering called a
hijab
Same gendered- In a healthcare setting, there may be a strong preference for
treatment by providers of the same gender. Women will specially appreciate
treatment by another woman during gynecological exams and during
childbirth.
Dietary- Forbidden foods include pork, lard, and gelatin made from pork
products. Fasting during Ramadan is excused for women who are pregnant,
menstruating, lactating, or within 40 days of childbirth.
Pregnancy
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Muslims place a strong
emphasis on legal
marriage between a man
and woman as the only
appropriate venue for
sexual intercourse and
the raising of children.
The birth of a child is a
joyous event and all
children are seen as gifts
from God; boys and
girls
Pregnancy Classes
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Sources of childbirth education among Muslim women
are the same as those for other women: prenatal classes
& regular doctors visits.
Muslim husbands also attend childbirth education
classes with their wives.
Culturally competent ways of giving information may
include letting couples know they don’t have to watch
the birthing videos if they are not comfortable with
viewing it (graphic)– respecting beliefs and modesty
Childbirth
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In the Qur’an (Muslim Holy
Book), childbirth and labor are
recognized as extremely painful
and taxing experiences.
The physical and emotional pain
a mother endures during
pregnancy, labor, delivery and
postpartum = elevated status to
mothers.
The Qur’an says to, “Respect
the womb that bore you.”
One owes to their mothers three
times more love and obedience
than that owed to one’s father,
and that “Paradise lies at the feet
(serving the needs) of one’s
mother.”
Postpartum - Mother
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Medications: May be resisted if contains alcohol or pork. Will
ultimately chose to use medications if mother’s life is in jeopardy.
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Diet: Hot liquids such as tea or soup are common postpartum foods.
Bread is also common at every meal.
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Hygiene: Muslims generally cleanse themselves with running water
after toileting and thus find proper perineal care after birth a natural
extension of this practice. Muslim women are exempted from
performing ritual prayers and fasting during postpartum bleeding (up to
40 days), and they are not required to make up for these missed
obligations.
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Breastfeeding: Islamic teachings encourage Muslim women to
breastfeed their newborns up to two years. Provisions for modesty of
the mother in the hospital are key to encouraging breastfeeding practice.
Birth Customs
 Placenta: After
the birth of a child, some Muslim
parents may request the placenta for burial.
 Involvement of father: In some Muslim cultures,
childbirth is seen as a female issue only. A
woman in labor is usually surrounded by female
relatives and friends. Fathers may need assurances
that the woman’s modesty is respected during her
stay.
Ritual Welcome of the
Newborn Child
Adhan: The father or elder male relative will whisper in the
baby’s right ear a call to prayer. This is done so that the first
word a baby hears is the name “Allah,” followed by the
shahadah - ‘There is no God except God, and Muhammad is
God’s messenger.’
Igamah: A second call to prayer performed shortly after the
Adhan, reminding all present that 'Our stay on earth is short
… so life should be spent wisely and diligently, and not
wasted'.
Tahneek: A respected family member rubs a small piece of
softened date (or honey) onto the infant's upper palate,
preferably before the infant is first fed. The hope is that
positive qualities of the family member will be imparted to
the newborn child.
Ritual Welcome of the
Newborn Child-continued
Taweez: In some Muslim cultures a black string with a small
pouch containing a prayer may be tied around the baby's
wrist or neck to protect the baby’s health.
Male circumcision: Muslims generally circumcise boys
within a few weeks of birth.
Agigah: On the seventh day following a birth, the family may
arrange for a sheep to be slaughtered as a sign of gratitude.
The meat is distributed to the family and the poor.
Shaving the hair: Also on the seventh day, many Muslim
will shave the infant’s hair, signifying the child’s pure state
at birth. An equivalent weight in silver may then be donated
to charity.
Conclusion
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It is important to recognize the
practicing Muslim mother in
order to provider her with the
most appropriate and culturally
specific care available.
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Understanding the customs and
beliefs of the Muslim family
during the birthing process
allows for greater individualized
care and better outcomes.
Resources
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American Psychological Association, (2009). Publication manual for the
american psychological association, (6th ed.). Washington DC:
American Psychological Association.
Charles, Carise. (2012). Culturally competent nursing care of the muslim
patient. Issues in Mental Health Nursing, 33, 61-63. doi:
10.3109/01612840.2011.596613
Linda L. Barnes. (2012). Boston Healing Landscape Project. In Islam and
Healing: Guidelines. Retrieved October 1, 2013, from
http://www.bu.edu/bhlp/Resources/Islam/health/guidelines.html.
Lipson, J., & Dibble, S. (2005). Culture & clinical care. (pp. 46-57)San
Francisco: USCF Nursing Press.
Walker Karraa. (April 29, 2011). Postpartum Care Considerations in
Muslim Communities: Part II of the Interview with Hajara Kutty.. In
Science & Sensibility. Retrieved September 22, 2013, from
http://www.scienceandsensibility.org/islam-and-postpartum-care.