JAVANESE WOMEN’S BELIEF ABOUT RECOMMENDED AND UNRECOMMENDED FOODS AND DRINKS IN THE PREGNANCY AND POST PARTUM PERIOD

Abstract

Background: Javanese women in Indonesia have different belief during pregnancy and postpartum. This belief was adopted because of the influence of cultures from their parents. Purpose: This study aims to determine the Javanese women's belief about recommended and un-recommended food or drink during pregnancy and postpartum period. Method: The research used qualitative design with in-depth interview and phenomenological approach. The samples were 4 women who have been pregnant and given birth. Results: This study has eight categories i.e recommended foods in the pregnancy, unrecommended foods in the pregnancy, recommended foods post partum period, unrecommended foods post partum period, recommended drinks in the pregnancy, unrecommended drinks in the pregnancy, recommended drinks post partum period, and unrecommended drinks post partum period. Javanese women believed that the recommended foods during pregnancy are rice, vegetables, fruit, and side-dishes. They must meet the demands of cravings (desire to eat) of certain foods when they want. The foods which are taboo or not recommended during pregnancy are durian, chili, fermented cassava, eel, pineapple, sugar cane, sweet meals, beef sate, catfish, shrimps, and plentiful hot and spicy foods. The foods recommended after childbirth are nutritious food, katu leaves, spinach, corn fritters, braised tofu and tempeh. The foods which are not recommended in postpartum are chili, spicy foods, hot and sour foods, egg and fish. Meanwhile, the drinks recommended during pregnancy are maternal milk, coconut water, water, herbal drink and honey mixed with chicken egg. The un-recommended drinks during pregnancy involve ice, herbs and sweet drinks, while the drinks recommended after childbirth are herbal drinks for breast milk production. In postpartum, women are not recommended to have iced drinks. Conclusion: Community nurses to provide services in accordance with its beliefs that are contrary to the concept of health and support the ones which are in line with it. Keywords: community nurses, pregnancy, postpartum, recommended foods, un-recommended drinks