Unique Birthing Traditions from 14 Countries

The Netherlands: Though we are now seeing a trending revival of home births in America, birth and postpartum recovery outside of the hospital have cultural significance in the Netherlands. There, birth is generally regarded as something to experience rather than prescribe. Nearly 20% of all Dutch births are performed at home. This is the highest national portion in any Western country.

Turkey: After her labor, a new mother is served Lohusa Serbeti, an artificially reddened drink made of cinnamon and sugar. Friends and family may also enjoy it upon visiting the newborn.

Japan: In Japan, childbirth is a process extended three weeks after labor in Ansei as the mother and newborn recover in a family home. Friends and family members help with chores around the house as the newborn and mother bond.

Brazil: Oftentimes, new mothers in Brazil will offer a small gift to guests who pay a visit to them and to their newborn.

Latin America: In many Latin American countries, new mothers will afford themselves a "quarantine" of six weeks where their time is dedicated to bonding with and feeding the baby. During La Cuarentena, mothers abstain from sex and demanding physical activity and maintain a specific diet.

Germany: The Mutterpass is a small booklet given to an expecting birthing person at their first prenatal visit. The brief journal is intended to track a mother's mental health throughout their pregnancy and to keep their doctor's up-to-date with any risks or worries about the labor.

United States: In the 60s, Medline created the striped Kuddle-Up blanket we see all hospital-born babies wrapped in. The design was intended to liven up delivery rooms.

Nigeria: In some Nigerian communities, if the newborn's grandmother is available, she will give the baby their very first bath as a gesture to the mother that she has a community of women to lean on in her postpartum recovery and parenting. If the grandmother is not on hand, another older, valued woman will perform in her place.

Bali: Honoring the placenta is an intricate ceremony for many Balinese who clean, wrap, and bury it.

Finland: For nearly a century, the Finnish government has supplied new mothers with a newborn "starter pack." The kit includes baby clothes, toys, and linens.

Jamaica: Alongside the burial spot of the placenta and umbilical cord, some friends and relatives may plant a small tree or seed that grows along with the child. When and if they are able, the child may be responsible for looking after the tree.

Mexico: The Rebozo is a non-stretch shawl traditionally used to relax the birthing person's pelvic muscles and shift their weight during labor. The technique is said to provide great relief in labor's active stage. Many modern midwives and doulas have adopted (or appropriated) the Rebozo for their own practices.

Comanche: In labor, Comanche women would traditionally squat over hot stones as the pain would provide in exchange relief from the pelvic and perineum stretching.

Iraq: Traditionally, Iraqi-Assyrian newborns are rubbed with salt before being wrapped in their swaddling clothes.