Culture

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The reading shows that the Hmong traditions on birthing practices and techniques differ
significantly from what happens in typical American society. It is also evident that some of the
techniques and practices have been erased over time, as can be seen in the differences between
what happened during the birth of Lia and that of the other children (Fadiman, 2012). The
Hmong people did not have a birth assistant present during birth. A woman would deliver a child
into her hands on her own. During the birth process and as she went through labor, he would be
alone in a room. The only person who would enter the room was her husband only when she got
thirsty and needed water to quench the thirst. However, when Lia was birth, a medical assistant
was present to help her mother through the entire process. During a typical American birth
process, a medical assistant is present. A woman also has the option to have an epidural, and this
guarantees her a painless time during the contractions and even at the time, the baby is born.
The birthing techniques used when Lia was born differ significantly from those upheld
traditionally among the Hmong community. For instance, when Lia was born, her placenta was
cut by a medical assistant and incinerated. This is different from what had happened during the
birth of Foua’s other children. As per Hmong’s birthing techniques, Foua cut the cord by herself
(Fadiman, 2012). The placenta would then be buried, but with Lia’s case, it was incinerated.
Although women like Foua would go to the hospital for assisted birth, some would insist on
being given the placenta so that they can go home with it and bury it themselves. Some would be
given, and some would be denied for fear that they would not bury but would instead eat it. The
Hmong people believed in burying the placenta. This was tied to the belief that when a Hong
dies, his or her soul travels back and retraces its path to where the placenta was buried. Thus,
burying the placenta was very significant. However, that has since changed, and in a typical
American birth process, the placenta is discarded at the hospital.

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While there are similarities in the birthing processes, they are few. For instance, in both
the Hmong culture and in modern-day America, pregnancy is celebrated. A pregnant woman
takes care of herself. There are cravings, and in both times, women try to honor the carvings. The
reasons for honoring the carvings differ, but women among the Hmong community and in the
modern American community experience food cravings. Traditionally, Hmong women, as seen
with Foua, believed that screaming during birth could thwart the birth process (Fadiman, 2012).
Thus, even though Foua would give birth at home, while the other children were asleep, they
would not hear a thing during the entire process and would only be awakened by the baby crying.
A typical American birth process is not characterized by such beliefs. Most women will shout
during labor as the pain can be very excruciating.
Remarkably, the reading triggered many changes to my thoughts and feelings towards the
childbearing process. First of all, it made me appreciate the role of medicine and advancements
over the years. The women who lived during the traditional times among the Hmong community
must have gone through a lot of hardships to birth their children (Fadiman, 2012). It is hard to
imagine how one was locked up alone in a room to labor all by themselves. Also, the birthing
process was viewed as a woman affair only, and this explains why even when the husband took
water to the wife, he would not look at her directly to avid seeing her in that state. Reading about
the experiences of the Hmong women made me appreciate cultural changes as such practices
made the childbearing process a very lonely and isolated affair.
The reading gave me an opportunity to interact with aspects of the Hmong culture from
an outsider’s point of view. While some of their practices and beliefs seemed awkward, I tried
very much to understand them from the Hmong’s point of view. For instance, it is hard to
understand how they bury the placenta and insist on carrying it home after birth. However, after

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realizing the connection between the placental jacket and death, I understood better why some
women insisted on carrying it home. Cultural relativism holds that beliefs and practices are best
understood from the point of view of the individual. Thus, to understand Foua’s beliefs and
practices, I must understand her culture from a Hmong perspective.
Overall, culture has evolved over time, as can be seen in changes in birthing practices
among the Hmong community. Also, it is almost unimaginable to have a woman give birth on
her own. Advances in medicine and cultural dilution have made women have a different birthing
experience. There exist various options to choose from. One can even go through an elective
cesarean section if they do not want to go through labor. Additionally, there are medical
alternatives in case of complications during pregnancy or the birthing process.

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References

Fadiman, A. (2012). The spirit catches you, and you fall down: A Hmong Child, her American
doctors, and the collision of two cultures. Macmillan.