I was not quite sure what I expected to learn about this week's culture.  We researched Native Americans, but since there are many tribes with differing cultures and regions, it is hard to pinpoint a whole collective culture.  I have learned a lot about the Shoshone this semester as it is my semester project, but I wanted to learn more about other tribes than just this one group, which in itself is made up of three different regional tribes.

My research did find one article that was pretty all-encompasing as far as I can gather about the traditions surrounding pregnancy and childbirth for Native Americans.  The article talks about how Native Americans traditionally believed in taking great care of themselves during their pregnancy to ensure a swift and uncomplicated birth.  They ate healthy and took care of themselves physically as well as maintained a happy and peaceful spiritual setting during their pregnancies.  They often used herbal remedies to prepare for birth and utilized physiological birth practices such as upright positioning and intuitive birthing movements to speed the birthing process.  Traditionally, First Nation women were served by only other women during their birthing time and many rites and rituals were performed to ensure good fortune and a swift birth.  Some of these traditions are still practiced today.

Since I am going to school to be a midwife, I found this information particularly important.  It is good to know where particular beliefs and practices that our clients have come from to understand why they do what they do.  There seem to be more regarding pregnancy and childbirth specifically.  I want to provide for those beliefs and practices among my varied clients as long as they are safe.  This research helps me know what I can do to enable these practices for this culture.

I find this culture to be the most interesting out of any I have researched.  I have always had some intrigue about Native American culture and history.  I love to read their stories and learn about their mythology and beliefs.  I have had a few Native American friends and they are wonderful people with wonderful backgrounds.  I hope I get the opportunity to serve Native American women in my practice and learn more about their traditions and culture.