Do you think the loss of a child is seen as less important in Africa?*possibly upsetting sorry.

[thegauntlet]

So sorry if this topic is upsetting to anyone. I would really like to hear any opinions. I am moving to Mozambique in July with 2 babies under 2. As part of my course this year I have to submit a thesis on the maternal and infant mortality rate in this country. The figures are shocking. Many women see the loss of children as a normal consequence of life, having 11 or 12 children, and maybe seeing 6 or 7 grow to adulthood. Does anyone have any input on this/ personal experience? My own experience of early miscarriage has just left me completely reeling when it comes to understanding or trying to relate to the women that hopefully will be my friends...

I have no idea on this personally. Obviously infant mortality is more common there. It doesn't mean it doesn't hurt just as much for the women who have to go through it. It may mean that it is seen as a sorrow that most women will have to endure at some point in their lives. I don't think that makes it less important to the women who have to see their baby die though. That must be just as awful no matter how common it is in your country.

In your title you suggest that the loss of a child maybe seen as less important, but in your OP you state that many women see the loss of a child as a normal consequence. That is very different to considering it to be less important.

I had two miscarriages and I considered those to be a normal part of life; but that does not mean that they were not important.

I worked briefly as a midwife in rural Uganda and yes I would say that the loss of a child is seen as a normal, daily occurrence. I'm sure it is still just as upsetting for the women but I don't think it's as much of a shock. They seem very accepting about it. I've delivered babies that have been born dead or died within minutes and had to tell the woman that their baby has died and there is often no emotion. Now that's probably cultural and they grieve in private instead but it's still a very different reaction to women in this country.

The first baby I delivered in Uganda was stillborn and it was the woman's fifth stillborn baby, she hadn't had any live ones.