Food restrictions
The forth most popular activity was food restriction, which lasted between 2 days and 24 months. There are many culturally determined practices that include consumption and avoidance of certain foods by pregnant or lactating women. Consuming particular foods and avoiding others were viewed as a prophylactic measure and commonly observed throughout the postpartum period. The food readily consumed included sources of protein, vegetable, fruit, special menu and herbal drinks and medicines. The health of the mother and baby were the most important reasons for following this practice. Women’s mother and their relatives encouraged a range of food restrictions. There was not total agreement about these foods, as some women mentioned eating foods which were considered to be dangerous by other, such as fresh vegetables and fish.