In the Philippine culture family and motherhood are highly valued. Typically women often have their first child after their first year of marriage. As motherhood is highly valued, the birth of the baby is not just an event that happens with the mother and father, it involves everyone in the family and often the event is celebrated by the whole community.
As such when a women learns she is pregnant, the reactions from people within her family are extremely positive (Ocbian, 2012). Within this framework the whole community often bands together to ensure that the pregnant woman is well taken care of. All effort is made to ensure that the woman has a happy and safe pregnancy.
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In this culture it is believed that how a woman acts, thinks and does can have a major impact on the baby. Besides medical support, families in this culture also seek the guidance of herbalists and other alternative medicinal practices during pregnancy. Due to this it is believed that when a woman craves something it should be fulfilled promptly or this may cause ill effects to the baby. As well members of the family, and the father of the baby, try to ensure that the woman does not experience negative emotions as they believe that this could also impact the baby.
As well, to help ensure a lighter skinned baby, these women will often avoid consuming foods that are black in color. Finally the women will often ensure that she is tidy and well kept as it is believed that this will ensure that the child is beautiful. Furthermore, besides ensuring a well kept appearance the women will also not wear things around her neck to ensure that the baby is not strangled by the umbilical cord (Cabigon, 1996).
- Cabigon, J. V. (1996). Use of health services by Filipino women during childbearing episodes. Maternity and reproductive health in Asian societies, 83-102.
- Ocbian, M. M. (2012). Culture-Based Beliefs and Practices on Pregnancy and Childbirth among Sorsoguenos, Philippines. IAMURE International Journal Of Health Education, 1(1), 1-1.
