Maternity Care Services in Different Countries

Abstract

Background: In the 21st century, it became common that people move from one country to
another with the intentions of settling permanently or temporarily in the new location. At the
same time, the number of asylum applicants and refugees is increasing in Europe. For
example, based on data from 2014, 302 772 Ukrainian, 169 657 Chinese, 134 881 Indian and
more than 75 000 Syrian citizens have got residence permits. 44,1 million (6%) of European
general population are Muslims.
This requires culturally sensitive midwifery and maternity care provided by health
professionals to a woman giving birth, knowledge of different religious beliefs and skills to
solve ethical problems caused by communication with patients having different cultural and
religious needs.
Objective: To develop a literature review about maternity care in Syria, Turkey, China, Israel,
India, Afghanistan and Ukraine.
Methods: Qualitative research method has been used, a literature review has been developed.
Conclusions: In different countries, people believe in various birth rituals and it is often
when maternity care is provided by an attendant having no special training.
For instance, in China, women giving birth are not recommended to be touched and care
providers have to give a reason for each touch. In India, a thing helping protect against the
„evil eye“ has to be in a delivery room. Women in Eastern Turkey feel embarrassed at being
naked during childbirth, especially when care is provided by a male one, and mostly the
women give birth at home.
According to Turkish beliefs, the sacred book Quran has to be in the room where a woman
giving birth is. In Afganistan, in order to have midwifery care, the husband`s or some male
relative`s permission is required. In Syria, women often are not satisfied by forced measures
in maternity care services, for instance enema is given before labour, and having any direct
indications, labour induction is done.Health care services for all citizens in Ukraine are free of
charge. Mostly, women give birth in hospitals where routine procedures are performed
according to orders of personnel, ignoring wishes of women giving birth.
Today, in these countries maternity care services in health care institutions are provided
under instruction of experienced personnel. Thus, culturally appropriate maternity care is
expected, if possible.