Social support in pregnancy and the puerperium amongst Pedi women

Abstract

Sources of social support available to women during the ante-natal, birth and post-partum periods in some traditional Southern African black births are described. In particular sources of social support amongst Pedi women delivering in urban or rural hospitals or clinics, during these same periods are examined.

Findings suggest that the major source of social support available in hospital and clinic births is not necessarily the same as was available in the traditional birth situation. Nurses are currently perceived as primary sources of support during birth and appear to have replaced both the traditional birth attendant and the woman's mother. the woman's mother, however, still remains the primary source of social support in the post-partum period. In most cases husbands continue to play little role in birth and appear to provide only financial and to some extent emotional support postnatally.

Key Words:

• Social support
• Pregnancy
• Puerperium
• Pedi women
• South Africa