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Session 2: Clinical studies and clinical application of traditional & indigenous medicine

Local Wisdom on the Obstetrics of Austroasiatic Ethnicûs Groups

in Lower Mekong Sub-region

Prueksachat Thobpae*

*Prasat Hospital, Surin, Thailand

Objectives: This research aims to 1.) study the obstetric wisdom of Austro-Asiatic
ethnic in the lower Mekong Sub-region. 2) analyze the composition of Austro-Asiatic ethnic
woman and man obstetric in Thailand and 3.) provide practical guidebook for pregnant and
postpartum women, people edition, on the culture of the Austro Asiatic ethnic basis, in Thai,
Lao, Cambodian and English languages.
Methods: This research was mainly carried out by merging qualitative research methods
with ethnography from in-depth interviews, participatory and non-participant observation
and using quantitative research methodology techniques with exploratory factors analysis
techniques, including validated by the expert group.
Results: The results are as follows;
1. Results of the qualitative study found that the obstetric wisdom of Austro-Asiatic
ethnic in the lower Mekong Sub-region could be divided into two phases which are Firstly,
before marriage. Start of relationship, selection related to the code of karma and destiny
equality and the wedding ceremony must be supported by the parents and relatives which are
network of karma, as witnessed that the couple will accept their physical, mental and social
bonding and Secondly, after the marriage shall begin when pregnant. Fertilization of mind will
contain the karma code and it will take control of genetic code called DNA, the growth of the
embryo in the uterus of the mother, safety in intra-partum phase until after delivery and baby
care. The babies will be good or bad depending on the religious practices, rituals, taboos,
including the roles of the father and mother in each ethnic groups.
2. Results of the quantitative study, composition of Austro-Asiatic ethnic woman and
man obstetric in Thailand consist of five elements: 1) In each stage of the wedding traditions
is the long-term practices of marriage to carry on and preserve obstetric wisdom creating a
new life. 2) The role of women and man in relevant with the ancient trail and current practices
ought to follow in obstetrics. 3) The inherited obstetric postpartum wisdom period resulting in
healthy mother and child. 4) The obstetric contraindications, pregnancy period affecting health
after delivery and 5) Courtship moral, mate selection and marriage influence in promoting
physical-mental health of a family.
3. Results of practical guidebook for pregnant and postpartum women, people edition on
the culture basis, when the draft edition was presented to the academy experts and group of
mothers and baby specialists in Surin and Srisaket Provinces has considered and selected
content for proposal suggestions to refine the document. This generated a substance and
complete guidebook edition which proven of the combination of integration and modern
medication harmoniously that could be applied in both Thailand area and ASEAN regions.
Key words: Austro-Asiatic, local wisdom, obstetric, Lower Mekong Sub-region