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VIETNAMESE CULTURE ON PREGNANCY AND CHILDBIRTH

Vietnamese Beliefs on Pregnancy and Childbirth

Van Mai

Kapiolani Community College

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Vietnamese Culture on Pregnancy and Childbirth
Vietnamese Beliefs on Pregnancy and Childbirth
Vietnamese culture practices are heavily influenced by Chinese culture. Thus,
many of Vietnamese health practices are based on yin and yang (the balance and harmony
of hot and cold, negative and positive forces) (Queenland Health). Many Vietnamese,
particularly people live in rural areas, believe that spirits and deities play an important
role in their daily life (Gibson & Bodo, 1999). Therefore, some Vietnamese traditional
practices are influenced by these superstitious believes. This paper will discuss traditional
customs that many Vietnamese practice during the pregnancy, childbirth and postpartum
care.
Pregnancy Practices
Traditionally, Vietnamese value virginity. Men and women were arranged by their
families and hardly know each other well before married. Nowadays, many young
couples in the cities are living together before married (LaBorde, 2010). However,
childbirth is viewed as a fruit of a man and woman who are married. Being pregnant
before married considered bringing shame to the family. Thus, many pregnant women
will not seek prenatal care, are stress out and try to hind from their family as long as they
can. If they ever decide to terminate the pregnancy, they usually carried guilty feeling
with them for quite a long period of time because they believe life starts at conception
and abortion is a murder (H. Nguyen, interview 2016). Understand this aspect, nurses
should provide care, counseling therapy and social support for these women.

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Vietnamese Culture on Pregnancy and Childbirth
Vietnamese have many rules regarding diet and behavior during pregnancy to
ensure the health of the baby and avoid complications. Pregnant women are discouraged
from overeating and sleeping, which they believe causing the fetus grow too large and
birth complications (LaBorde, 2010). They are encouraged to eat poultry, fish, pork, rice,
eggs, fruit and vegetables. They are advice to avoid hot food, such as red meat, spicy
food, red pepper, garlic, onions, ginger, and some cold food, such as orange, ice-cream,
bananas, ice water, etc. to avoid the disturbance in the womans body balance
(Queensland Health). In addition, they usually drink herbal tonics and are physically
active to facilitate labor (LaBorde, 2010). They usually avoid lift their arms above the
head because they believe it cause fetus respiratory distress and preterm labor. They
usually avoid sexual practices due to the thought to cause mental or physical deformation
to the fetus (Queensland Health). Lastly, a pregnant woman usually avoids attending
wedding and funeral or meeting people about to go on a trip because they consider her
presence brings bad luck (LaBorde, 2010). It is important for physician and nurses to
carefully assess diet and herbal supplement and provide a clear instruction regarding a
well-balance diet, activity, and sexual behavior to these patients to promote safety, growth
and health.
Vietnamese women often prefer female physician and nurses (Queensland
Health). They are shy when talking about intimacy and sexuality or being examined by
male physicians. Also, Vietnamese women have been taught to obey authority. Thus,
they may reluctant to voice their thought or opposition or asking questions when they
dont understand the advices of healthcare professionals, are asked to make decisions or

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Vietnamese Culture on Pregnancy and Childbirth
to comply with the plan of care (LaBorde, 2010). Nurses need to examine their wishes
and understanding of instructions carefully when caring for these patients. Arrange
female professionals when possible and provide a clear verbal and written instruction.
Delivery and Postpartum Care Practices
Pregnant women usually go to childbirth center in the cities while people who live in
rural areas often deliver at home with a midwife or a woman who is experienced in
assisting birth. Wealthy women tend to select C-section and formula feeding because they
want to preserve their bodies (H. Nguyen, interview 2016). The father usually waits
outside of the delivery room with other family members during the labor process. He
only meets the baby after he/she is cleaned and dressed. Because childbirth is considered
womens event (LaBorde, 2010), female health care professionals are preferred to
provide comfort to the woman. If the father doesnt want to participate in the labor room,
encourage the couple to have a female relative to assist with childbirth in the labor room.
Blood is considered hot. A woman loses blood during labor. She is thought to
be cold (imbalanced) state and is vulnerable after giving birth. Thus, she is advised not
to take shower or have a bath or wash her hair for a few days to weeks after birth
(Queensland Health). The woman stays inside a room with all doors and window closed
to avoid wind. She may cover her ears with cotton balls to prevent wind goes into her
body and block the loud noise. She is advised to rest in bed and not going to work for a
month or two. In the rural area, they practice mother roasting, a charcoal stove is lit and
placed inside the room to keep the woman body warm (Queensland Health). Diet
restriction based on yin and yang is also practiced. She is advised to drink hot drinks and

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Vietnamese Culture on Pregnancy and Childbirth
eat hot foods to warm her body and avoid cold foods, which thought to cause diarrhea
in baby and mom (LaBorde, 2010). Many women concern about their body image and go
on strict diet after birth to get back in shape. Therefore, nurses need to assess the patients
dietary intake and encourage a well-balanced diet and provide her warm drinks and
foods. Also provide the patient a heated blanket while she in the hospital to keep her
warm. Health care professionals should also minimize the noise and keep her door close.
A sponge bath and perineum care is appropriate for hygiene and comfort. Advise patient
to ambulate regularly and wash her body and baby to prevent complications.
Most Vietnamese women breast-feed their babies. They usually do up to 6 months
to 1 year. Many women concern about the baby is undernourished. Thus, they often
incorporate breastfeeding with bottle-feeding (Queensland Health). Baby food is often
introduced to the baby at around 6 months old. Many Vietnamese believe that a person
should never praise the newborn. They worry the action will draw ghosts and demon
attention to the baby. Therefore, if someone gives praise to a baby, they may initially say
trom via (steal soul) before saying she/he is so cute. (Vietnam Culture) Many
Vietnamese use coin practice when they dont feel well. A silver coin is use to scape the
skin on the neck, tempo, between the eyes, on the back, etc. until it bruised (H. Nguyen,
interview 2016). Its also important to educate patients about benefits of breastfeeding
and encourage it. Also, nurse may want to avoid giving praise to a newborn or watch for
cues before doing so. Its also important to assess and differentiate clinical bruising,
abuse with coining marks if you see bruises in these patients.
Conclusion

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Vietnamese Culture on Pregnancy and Childbirth
Many Vietnamese still observe these traditional cultural practices, especially
women came from rural or those who have strong influence from the elders. Health care
professionals need to assess patient references, dietary intake and traditional practices.
Understanding these aspects help, they can provide interventions that cooperate into the
care of these patients during pregnancy, childbirth and postpartum and respect their
practices.

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Vietnamese Culture on Pregnancy and Childbirth
References
Gibson, N., Bodo, K. (1999) Childbirth Customs in Vietnamese Traditions.
ResaerchGate. Retrieved on February 25, 2016 from
https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Nancy_Gibson/publication/13191020_Child
birth_customs_in_Vietnamse_traditions/
LaBorde, P. (2010). Vietnamese Cultural Profile. Ethnomed. Retrieved on February 25,
2016 from https://ethnomed.org/culture/vietnamese/vietnamese-culturalprofile#section-8
Nguyen, H. (2016) Vietnamese customs in pregnancy and childbirth. Interview on
February 22, 2016
Queensland Health (n.d). Vietnamese Ethnicity and Background. Queensland Health.
Retrieved on February 25 from
https://www.health.qld.gov.au/multicultural/health_workers/Vietnamese-pregprof.pdf
Vietnam Culture (n.d) Superstitions after birth of newborn baby in Vietnam. Vietnam
Culture. Retrieved on February 25 from http://www.vietnamculture.com/supersitions-after-birth-of-newborn-baby.aspx