Field Research Report

Birth and Loss in Dzongsar Area

( Women's experiences of pregnancy, childbirth, and early infant feeding )
- June 2004

Executive summary

This report follows research conducted in the region of Dzongsar, Derge County, Ganzi Prefecture, Sichuan province, during June/ July 2004.

The research focused on maternal and infant health issues during pregnancy, birth and the post-natal period.

21 mothers provided information which was used to complete a questionnaire. The following is an overview of the main findings :

• Of the 21 mothers, 9 had lost at least one child through miscarriage or later death (42.86%). There had been 14 episodes of miscarriage or death- 7 miscarriages and 7 deaths.
• Mothers suffered from a wide range of difficulties during pregnancy - the chief one being swollen legs or ankles (6 mothers). 2 other mothers reported pain in their legs and ankles.
• There is no concept of ante-natal care accordingly (for example) none of the 21 mothers had her urine or her blood tested, or her blood pressure recorded.
• Average labour on the basis of the research was 22hrs 55mns. The average first labour was 38hrs 40mns.
• Partners were the chief support during labour attending 27% of deliveries (partners attended a further 11% jointly with spouse's mother). Women self attended on 8% of deliveries.
• In the case of only one of 62 children (including those dying at birth) was there medical support at birth.
• In 9 instances of birth mothers cut the umbilicus themselves (23.81%). In all other cases except 2, the umbilicus was cut by female relatives and/or partners.
• Only 1 mother breastfed exclusively. The other 19 mothers all introduced other foods within 24 hours of birth.
• So far as foods first introduced are concerned app 75% of mothers fed their babies tsampa and butter or butter alone. About half the mothers used bottles, generally one bottle per child (ie the same bottle for as long as the child fed by bottle) and an average of a little over 2 teats per child.
• 14 of 20 mothers informed that their children were on an adult diet at 1 year, though 1 mother delayed putting her 5 children onto an adult diet until they were 5 ½ years old.
• 13 children received a vaccination - only one dose in each case. None of the 21 mothers concerned had received any information about vaccinations including what the vaccinations were for.
• Family planning was marked by a lack of information for mothers (including those who managed to secure contraception) and generally by a lack of availability.
• A third of mothers stated that they either had to work prematurely or were still unable to work at the date of interview.