You are a nurse working in a labor and delivery unit in a small town near a Native American reservation. Charity, your patient, is about to give birth to her sixth child. Her family does not have health insurance. Normally she would give birth at home; however, her blood pressure is high. Her family is doing a dance to scare away the evil spirits that brought about this medical condition. She is in a lot of pain but refuses an epidural. She believes that pain is something that should be tolerated. There are also about 20 family members present to watch the birth, including all of her children. After the baby is born, she hand-expresses colostrum from her breasts and disposes of it. Additional family members arrive with all sorts of food to celebrate the birth of the baby. (Learning Objectives 5 and 6)
A. What are the cultural traits with Charity and her baby that are specific to her Native American culture?
B. How would you provide culturally sensitive nursing care to Charity and her baby?
