Based on original research, this book explores the childbirth and maternity experiences of rural women in Cambodia. It provides data, examining why Khmer women avoid government health centres, which they regard as unfamiliar, expensive and providing poor care, preferring instead to use traditional birth attendants and practices.

Based on extensive original research, this insightful book explores the childbirth and maternity experiences of rural women in Cambodia. It provides rich data, examining why Khmer women avoid modern government health centres, which they regard as unfamiliar, expensive and providing poor care, preferring instead to use traditional birth attendants and practices. It outlines the nature of traditional practices, in which are interwoven many Buddhist ideals and rituals. It concludes by discussing the wider problem of providing health care in developing countries, and the importance of giving due regard to traditional approaches. Filling a gap in the literature as an ethnographic account of pregnancy and childbirth in Cambodia, this book will appeal to a wide range of development studies experts and health care providers, as well as to women's studies scholars and scholars of Southeast Asia.

Prologue: Choun's childbirth
1. Introduction
2. Traditional Birth Attendants: Changes in their role and responsibilities over time
3. Humoral safety
4. Yiey maap - the good women of Chup
5. Weathering safety
6. Negitiating Safety
7. Conclusion: Questioning the Solution