Cultural Considerations

Beliefs about pregnancy and childbirth among women from diverse cultural backgrounds can differ between women and their healthcare providers. For example, an Indigenous woman might believe that her pregnancy is connected to her traditional Dreaming. 

Health messages about the risks of drinking during pregnancy and breastfeeding need to account for differing cultural beliefs (see also Chapter 15 and Chapter 16). 

For some women who hold particular cultural beliefs about pregnancy, it may be useful to help them consider not drinking any alcohol at all or only drink at very low-risk levels throughout their childbearing years. 

Differing cultural beliefs may at least partially explain why some women do not present for antenatal care until late in their pregnancy. Another factor may be that they have limited access to acceptable and ‘culturally safe’ services.