cultural sensitivity in birth

"Cultural Sensitivity

The third piece of the puzzle is cultural sensitivity, which:
• is an affective construct that relates to values, beliefs, and attitudes.
• implies that an individual has an open attitude in relationship to themselves and others, allowing them to explore their own beliefs and values as well as being receptive to the beliefs and values of others.
• emphasizes approaching others with humility while taking the role of learner rather than assuming one has sufficient knowledge."


I had to explore this idea after reading it in my cultural competency course.  This idea made me step back and think about how I help people learn.  Do I really do this, with this kind of attitude in mind?...and if I don't I really should.


As a doula, I come in contact with all sorts of viewpoints regarding birth.  Some are super natural and others prefer any and all intervention.  Most are somewhere in between.  Then, there is me.  I come to them with my own set of assumptions and world view regarding birth.  The key is learning how to teach, while also figuring out what it is that I need to learn about the person  I am teaching.


Most of the time, as care providers, we need to do a lot more listening than talking.  I like the idea in this quote of allowing others to explore their own beliefs.  We do this by presenting information, then listening to what the other person has to say about that information.  I know that this is something that I need to work on.