Folk Beliefs and Ancient Health Care about Pregnancy in Thai Tradition

Abstract

The purpose of this article is to study folk beliefs and ancient health care relating to pregnancy in Thai culture. The methods of study include document study and observation. The study results point out that folk beliefs and ancient health care relating to pregnancy in Thai tradition can be divided into two periods, namely pregnancy period and post pregnancy period. However, the folk beliefs relating to pregnancy connect with healthcare methods and the prevention of the potential risk to mothers and their babies. Without the western medical technology, the ancient health care has focused on the care covering and connecting between bodies and souls, which could be seen in the forms of various prohibition and practical guidelines.