Immigrant Southeast and East Asian mothers’ transnational postpartum cultural practices: A meta-ethnography

OBJECTIVE: Southeast and East Asian mothers experience the postpartum period differently than that of the general population. Despite the documented difference, there is limited representation of postpartum cultural practices in nursing and midwifery research. The purpose of this meta-ethnography is to synthesize qualitative findings from studies that examined postpartum cultural practices of Southeast and East Asian mothers globally to ensure better maternal health outcomes. METHODS: Noblit and Hare’s seven-step meta-ethnographic approach was used. We analyzed constructs, concepts, themes, and metaphors using Krippendorff’s content analysis. The guidelines for preferred reporting the synthesis of qualitative research were adhered to enhancing transparency (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses). RESULTS: The collaborative search process in the following databases, PsycINFO, CINAHL, and Scopus, resulted in eight high quality research studies published between January 2017 and February 2020. Five studies discussed postpartum traditions of immigrant mothers (n = 67) living in North America (n = 67), while three studies explored that of mothers living in Southeast and East Asian. Mothers (n = 132) from China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Korea, Vietnam, and Hmong participated. FINDINGS: Three themes emerged: (1) importance of maintaining postpartum cultural practices; (2) barriers of “doing-the-month”; and (3) modification: practicality over tradition. Although participants recognized value in postpartum traditions, the lack of social support deterred more immigrant than non-immigrant Southeast and East Asian mothers from “doing-the-month.” Due to the influence of western medicine, clinicians’ postpartum care suggestions, and use of modern technology (e.g., Internet), Southeast and East Asian mothers had informed choices to adapt, modify, or “break with tradition.” CONCLUSION: Similarities and differences existed in how each Southeast and East Asian mother accepted and engaged with postpartum cultural practices, a process which aligned with one’s definition of health. Maternity care providers should further elicit Southeast and East Asian mothers’ needs based on individualized assessments beginning in prenatal care with emphasis on social support for mothers who have recently immigrated and given birth in their adopted countries.