In my profession, I work hard to change perceptions about birth and paint a more realistic picture. But in doing so, I am acutely aware that the picture we are painting is very much related to birth practices in America and in many cases, New York City since it’s where I practice. It’s funny—even though the general “logistics” of it all are the same, the unique ways different cultures approach it may surprise you! Here are some of my favorites traditions I’ve learned about during my studies and travels. After 105 days the family gathers together to celebrate Nyabutan, the ceremony when the baby first touches the ground. The parents are blessed by the family priest and purified with holy water. Canangs, or offerings, are given to the Sun God and the five elements, and the 108 spirits are thanked. The baby is then blessed and is allowed to touch the ground for the first time, followed by a ritual in which the parents carry the baby around three times to represent the passage of birth, life, and death. Prenatal visits are often performed inside the temazcal and because breath is a midwife’s way of communicating and connecting with the higher spirits, you may see the midwife blowing into the pregnant person’s vagina (from a distance) for safe passage. Traditionally, after you give birth in Colombia you have a big support system of women who will take care of you while you heal and care for your newborn. They cook special meals and clean your house; they change diapers and help you with breastfeeding; they hold the baby while you nap and keep you warm and cozy. (Sounds like a dream, huh?) Some of the recommended practices and rituals include staying in bed the whole first week and then slowly starting to make your way around the house. You’re only allowed to start leaving the house for short periods of time after 30 days and slowly build up until you’re ready to be out in the world after 40 days. Showers are limited and often replaced by baths with herbs and vaginal steams. The new mother is supposed to stay warm and avoid cold foods to avoid issues with the uterus, menstruation, and future pregnancies. Physical activity is limited—you’re not supposed to bend, carry heavy things, or do any housework (even as much as opening the fridge!). The tradition in Vietnam, called “Pavlovian Potty-training,” is based on caregivers learning to understand cues so that they anticipate when a baby needs to “go.” They make special whistling sounds to encourage the baby to pee and get them used to using this form of communication as time goes on. By 3 months, the babies are sitting on the potty and peeing on command to the sound of the whistle. In the United States some parents are giving this a try by using the Elimination Communication method, which also stems from the idea of recognizing the signs that your baby makes when she is about to go, sitting them on a potty, and using sounds to train them.
