Perceptions of Traditional Postpartum Practices With Hmong Women in the United States

Abstract

Introduction

Postpartum care varies widely across cultures, yet research on ethnic minorities, especially Asian American Pacific Islanders subgroups, often masks meaningful differences among ethnic subpopulations. The Hmong, an ethnic minority originating from Southeast Asia, faces cultural shifts since immigrating to the United States. This study examined the perceptions of traditional postpartum practices among Hmong women.

Methods

A cross-sectional electronic survey was distributed to Hmong women and professional organizations. Participants were included in the study if they were aged at least 18 years, self-identified as Hmong, were female, and were living in the United States. Data on postpartum knowledge and experiences were analyzed using SPSS.

Results

Of 323 respondents (average age 33.5 years), 89% were women who practiced postpartum traditions, with most having 0 to 5 children. Over 65% reported their health care providers were unaware of traditional Hmong practices, and 77.8% were willing to educate them. Common practices included the chicken diet (95.8%) and belly binding (40.9%) for an average confinement period of 25 days. Knowledge of traditional postpartum practices was moderate; participants correctly answered about 45% of knowledge questions.

Discussion

Although many Hmong women in the United States continue to practice postpartum customs, traditional knowledge appears to be eroding across generations. There is a clear gap between patient practices and provider awareness. These findings highlight the need for culturally competent postpartum care and suggest that health care providers incorporate respectful, informed discussions about traditional practices to support maternal health among Hmong women.