Beliefs and Practices Regarding Delivery and Postpartum Maternal Morbidity in Rural Bangladesh

Most maternal deaths occur in the puerperium and most maternal morbidities probably also arise at that time. Maternal morbidities occur much more frequently than maternal deaths, but very little is known about their magnitude or causes. This study uses focus-group discussions to explore the experiences of childbirth and postpartum illness among rural Bangladeshi women. The women's beliefs about disease causation, and their use of traditional health care, are explored. The significance of the findings for the training of traditional birth attendants and for programs of postpartum care is discussed.