Comparison and Contrast of Kukaniloko Birthing Stones and Queen's Essay

Comparison and Contrast of Kukaniloko Birthing Stones and Queen's Medical Center Birthing Unit - Essay Example She had to follow a strict diet and do exercises recommended by the Kahuna. Only green vegetables, herbs and a small amount of raw fish were allowed. After six months she was asked to eat less because of the fear that a large baby will be difficult to deliver. Many relatives gathered on the delivery day. 36 chiefs eye witnessed the ceremony and birth. The mother was taken to Kukaniloko birthing stone on a woven rug. She was encouraged to walk to increase the pain. She then took kneeling position. It was gravity type birth. She was given morning glory leaves to eat. Some were also rubbed on her stomach. After delivery placenta was buried under tree. Mother was given herbs and soup (Empleo, 2012). There are many similarities between Queens Medical Center’s birthing unit and Kukaniloko Birthing Stones in Wahiawa, Hawaii. Women in Kukaniloko used to give delivery in kneeling position and they had to do exercises recommended by Kahuna. Queens Medical Center encourages women to have upright position like squatting and kneeling. They also recommend exercise during pregnancy which helps in easy delivery. . Ultrasound is done to determine the position of baby. In Kukaniloko mother was monitored many times during pregnancy. Nowadays pregnancy is monitored by the use of ultrasound which is equivalent to the monitoring practice that was witnessed in Kukanilolo. Despite the similarities, quite a number of differences exist. Early skin-to-skin contact is recommended in Queens Medical Center. It is believed that skin-to-skin contact between mother and baby reduces crying and creates bonding. Breastfeeding is given a lot of importance ("Breastfeeding: The First Weeks at Home",  n.d.). Breastfeeding is beneficial for both the mother and the baby. While in Kukaniloko the baby was taken away by a nurse who was called "kahu". The kahu fed the child. As far as the environment is concerned, a number of aspects need to be covered