Vietnamese behavioral and dietary precautions during pregnancy

Abstract

Behavioral and dietary prescriptions and proscriptions observed by 40 ethnic Vietnamese and Vietnamese‐Chinese women during pregnancy are explored within the context of traditional Vietnamese medicine and its humoral classification of physiological states and foodstuffs. The medical, nutritional and psychosocial effects of the continued observance of these customs in Australia are discussed. The restrictions appear to be important cultural elements in preparation for motherhood.