Perceptions of giving birth and adherence to cultural practices in Chinese women.

PURPOSE

To compare the childbirth experiences of Chinese women living in varied sociocultural contexts.

METHOD

Qualitative study of 34 Chinese women who had given birth in their country of origin (the People's Republic of China [PRC] or Taiwan) and Chinese women who immigrated to the United States.

FINDINGS

This research provides insights into the perspectives of mothers living in varied sociocultural contexts. Themes included expecting a child and defining birth expectations, experiencing giving birth, adhering to cultural beliefs and practices, and framing birth within sociocultural context.

IMPLICATIONS FOR CLINICAL PRACTICE

There are cultural beliefs and practices associated with giving birth in all cultures, and because there is such rich cultural diversity in the United States, it is important for nurses caring for childbearing women to understand Chinese cultural beliefs and practices in order to provide culturally competent care.