Healthy Womb, Healthy World: Some Reflections On Cultural Practices
Abstract
Women are central to building a healthy world. Maternal malnutrition increases the risk of obstructed labour, premature or low-birth-weight babies, and postpartum haemorrhage. The child in the womb and at the breast is directly influenced by the nutritional and emotional well- being of the mother. This study is based on ethnographic methods, including in-depth interviews and participant observations conducted across different regions of Himachal Pradesh to explore how cultural beliefs and practices shape maternal health, nutrition, and well- being. The findings reveal that culturally patterned behaviours—such as food restrictions, colostrum denial, hot–cold food classifications, and postpartum dietary taboos—continue to influence the health of pregnant and lactating women. These cultural norms often override biomedical recommendations, showing that nutrition is not only a medical concern but also deeply embedded within social traditions. The study underscores the need to integrate cultural understanding into public health interventions to ensure healthier mothers and future generations.
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