Socio-cultural change in conflict and post conflict settings: Five decades of giving birth in Cambodia

Abstract

Background: This paper explores the changing experience of giving birth in Cambodia over a 53-year period. During this time, Cambodian people experienced armed conflict, extreme privation, foreign invasion, and civil unrest. Methods: An historical perspective was used to explore the changing place and nature of birth assistance given to Cambodian women between 1950 and 2013. Twenty-four life histories of poor and non-poor Cambodians aged 40-74 were gathered and analysed using a grounded thematic approach. Results: In the early lives of the respondents, almost all births occurred at home and were assisted by Traditional Birth Attendants. In modern times, towards the end of their lives, the re..