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Childbirth Across Cultures pp 145–160Cite as

Pregnancy and Childbirth in Tibet: Knowledge, Perspectives, and Practices

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Part of the book series: Science Across Cultures: the History of Non-Western Science ((SACH,volume 5))

Abstract

To Tibetans life does not begin at birth, but rather at conception. After death, a being’s consciousness… wanders in an intermediate realm until impelled by the forces of its own karma to enter a womb at the instant of conception. Gestation is a hazardous time when women try to consume foods and seek spiritual means to prevent any harm coming to their growing baby. Once born, the child must fight for survival against daunting odds. Infancy is fraught with more hazards than any other stage of the life course, and the infant mortality rate in Nubri is frightfully high. Nearly one in every four children born alive does not live to see his or her first birthday. (Childs 2004: 38)

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Dartmouth College, Hanover, New Hampshire, USA

    Sienna R. Craig

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  1. Sienna R. Craig
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Correspondence to Sienna R. Craig .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Hampshire College, West St 893, Amherst, 01002, U.S.A.

    Helaine Selin

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© 2009 Springer Science+Business Media B.V.

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Craig, S.R. (2009). Pregnancy and Childbirth in Tibet: Knowledge, Perspectives, and Practices. In: Selin, H. (eds) Childbirth Across Cultures. Science Across Cultures: the History of Non-Western Science, vol 5. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-90-481-2599-9_13

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